Today we’d like to introduce you to Wendy Raynor.
Hi Wendy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was diagnosed with dyslexia in third grade—years before it became a widely recognized issue. At the time, I was probably the only diagnosed dyslexic student in my school. I struggled with test-taking my entire life, even though I was often recognized as one of the more thought-provoking students in the room.
In 2002, during the dot-com bust, I decided to go back to graduate school and began studying for the GMAT. That’s when I fully realized that I don’t process information the way most people do. I was incredibly frustrated by the explanations I received from tutors and the prep materials I purchased—nothing clicked. Eventually, I gave up. Despite my underwhelming GMAT score, I was accepted into my top-choice graduate school—with one condition: I had to complete a math class before starting in the fall.
That summer, I enrolled in an intensive math program at Johns Hopkins—ten years of math condensed into ten weeks. It was there, thanks to their incredible math department, that I learned something life-changing: I was actually great at math—I just approached it differently. That realization opened up a whole new world for me.
In 2011, I left the corporate world and spent a year volunteering with teens in the Anacostia and Capitol Heights neighborhoods of Washington, D.C. I absolutely loved the work. At the time, my mom encouraged me to find a part-time job that would bring me the same joy, while helping pay the bills. I applied to a local tutoring company and began working with students on SAT and ACT prep.
Because of my own neurodiversities, I quickly became popular with students who faced similar challenges. I discovered that I could explain concepts in ways no one had ever done for them before. Watching those “lightbulb moments” happen—for both my students and myself—was incredibly rewarding.
In 2015, I moved to Atlanta, and a year later, I launched my own tutoring business, focused on preparing neurodiverse teens for the SAT and ACT. That narrow focus allowed me to develop deep expertise—not just in test prep, but also in the often-complex process of securing testing accommodations. Over time, I began presenting at conferences and webinars, and in 2023, I published Accommodations Simplified: A Guide to Understanding SAT and ACT Accommodations in response to requests from families looking for guidance.
Today, WRH College Prep has a team of three tutors serving students across metro Atlanta. Each year, we help around 70 students prepare for the SAT and ACT. In addition, we partner closely with the TRiO and Upward Bound programs at the University of North Georgia, supporting their students as they pursue their goal of attending college.
I am the Accommodations Liaison for the National Test Prep Association, working closely with testing organizations, tutors, parents, schools, and clinical psychologists to bring greater transparency to the accommodations process. Finally, I also serve on the Board of Directors for The Georgia Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (IDA), Inc. and co-chair the IDA-GA Teen Board—a fantastic group of 52 teens with dyslexia who are passionate about spreading awareness.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As many can attest, starting your own business is both scary and full of ups and downs—and my journey has been no exception. The difference is, if I won the lottery tomorrow, I’d still be doing this work. It’s not just a job to me—it’s my passion, my purpose, and a core part of who I am. Every time I work with a student, I’m also helping a piece of my younger self. If I had to name the biggest challenge, it would be wishing I could clone myself, just to reach more students who are struggling and need support.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m known for being patient and understanding with my students. I take the time to learn how each student processes information and adapt my teaching style to meet their needs—rather than relying on what’s easiest for me. I aim to make learning enjoyable and remove the stress from the process. Most importantly, I never want my students to feel intimidated by me, my tutors, or the tests.
I’ve built a team of tutors who share the same dedication, personality, and approach.
While many standardized test tutors work with neurodiverse students, my reputation in the tutoring community truly stands out. My own experiences with learning differences give me a unique perspective that few others in this field can offer. I regularly support tutors around the world—sharing strategies and techniques for when things aren’t clicking, and guiding them through the process of helping their students secure the appropriate accommodations.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I was an up-and-coming ballerina and moved away from home during my freshman year of high school to attend Walnut Hill School for the Arts. Unfortunately, an injury cut my dance career short and ended my pursuit of that passion.
Recently, I adopted my Great Dane, Maze, after losing my beloved Mastiff, She-Ra, to cancer in February. Maze’s previous owner had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and had to surrender her. Until her passing, Maze and I would video chat with her regularly—a connection that was meaningful for all of us.
Over the years, I’ve spent a total of two years living overseas, with extended stays in Switzerland, France, and Thailand.
I’m an only child, originally from Half Moon Bay, CA
I’m more of a homebody and enjoy spending my free time cooking and working on DIY projects around the house.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wrhcollegeprep.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AccomsSimplified
