We at Shmoop love to get feedback from y’all about what you love (and hate, but let’s face it: what’s not to love?).

But even we couldn’t anticipate the sudden outpouring of love that we received from Oak Hills High School. We opened our email that morning and had dozens of emails from the dedicated students in Alyssa Payne’s Mythology Class.

Alyssa is the sort of teacher we wish we had when we were in school. Not only did the students get to “become” the Greek gods for class, they speed-dated each other to probably live out those messy, godly love lives. Could you imagine how awkward it was for Hephaestus to watch Aphrodite making doe eyes at Ares across the room? AMAZING.

But, of course, how do you become a Greek god? Why, by using Shmoop, of course! The students were so wowed by our coverage that they wrote in en masse.

Here’s some of the awesome stuff the students said about Shmoop:

I am a senior student at Oak hills High School and I’m writing as a way to thank you for this website that you have provided for others to use. Your website is very easy to follow, and it keeps the users entertained and willing to keep reading. I very much enjoy the way the website is set up because the Facebook format is an easy approach to hook the users to your website. Out of all of the four websites I have visited, I was most interested in yours. Thank you for taking the time to create this website and providing your knowledge for others to explore. ~ Hayley

Recently my mythology class has done a project on the Olympians and I just wanted to thank, and tell you about what a great website you have! I have done my research, and looked at several different sites. However yours by far is the best one. It is very easy access to what I need to get to, and it made my project quick and easy! So thank you! ~ Ashley

I am contacting you to tell you what a great help that your website was. I am currently training to become Aphrodite for a project that I have coming up. Your site had all of the information that I needed to become just like her. Thank you so much and keep up the good work! ~Allison

I just wanted to let you know that I found your site to be very useful and great. It had all kinds of information and it was really easy to navigate. I really enjoyed using your site for my project. So thank you for having such an awesome site. ~ Courtney

I would like to thank you for the information that you provide on this website. I got a majority of the information that I used for a school assignment. I learned a lot about Apollo. I looked at a couple other websites and thought that yours was the best. The layout you chose is the best way to sort the information. Thank you for providing me with new knowledge about the god Apollo! ~ Cody

I just wanted to say thanks for the great information. The way your website has written a modern take on the Greek gods and goddesses was fun to read and makes the information a lot easier to understand. My favorite page was Hestia’s wall. It gives Hestia a personality, something that other texts seem to miss. ~Michelle

The information was presented clearly and everything was easy to navigate. In addition, there was a large amount of information available. I would recommend Shmoop to any student as it seems to be a great place for helping with homework and any other research. ~ Aaron

I am writing to tell you that your website gives a lot of reliable information and it really helped me find all the main information on my topic. This website gives a lot of valuable information that a lot of other websites do not give and that really showed me you have a pretty good idea of what you are talking about. I looked at three other websites to find info for my project and none of them had nearly as much in depth information as yours did. I can honestly say there really isn’t much to change about it if anything. So keep it up and I will be using your website in the future. ~ Tanner

As I have been visiting this website for information on my Greek mythology project for a class, this website has been so helpful and wonderful to me on finding info very easily. The tabs or pages that are attached to the character’s page is very full of information and interesting facts on the goddess you choose, which makes researching absolutely easy and fast. ~ Elizabeth

Pretty sweet, huh? And since we’re not the type to let love go unrequited, we gifted them back Shmoop shirts. Now those will get you a date!

Thanks Oak Hills!

The point is that things are simply better when it can be done without anyone else butting in. One gets that warm, comforting sense of accomplishment, and can revel in the convenience and flexibility of his or her own decision-making.

Shmoop, a publisher of digital curriculum and test prep, understands that some people have an aversion to handholding. It makes sense—there’s not always a bottle of Purell handy. So the company is introducing a new self-serve system, which allows users to immediately set up an account and get started, all by their lonesome. No goober behind the counter.

Here are some of the delectable features that the new system offers:

•  Quick and easy credit card or PayPal set-up. It couldn’t be any easier if a representative from Shmoop came to a user’s house, went into their wallet, and extracted their credit card. Not that they ever do that sort of thing.

• Instant access to engaging, humorous test prep. Great for anyone who loves to laugh and learn at the same time. And if they can simultaneously rub their stomach and pat their head as well, there’s probably a guest appearance on Letterman with their name on it.

•  Topic reviews, practice drills, and full-length practice exams. Shmoop simulates the test-taking experience, so a test-taker doesn’t have to feel overwhelmed or intimidated when presented with the real thing. Once they get their name right, they’ll be home free.

• Test-taking strategies. There’s a lot that goes into succeeding on a standardized test besides merely knowing the information. Shmoop will prepare students by giving them helpful tips for the day before and day of the actual test, what areas to focus on, and which end of the pencil to write with.
• Virtual classrooms and analytics. For teachers and administrators, Shmoop offers tools that can be used to track student progress, review problem areas, and keep tabs on usage. It’s the next best thing to looking through the cutout eyeholes of a portrait.

Shmoop would love to suggest that they can provide things “your way, right away,” but Burger King already swooped in and nabbed that one. Suffice it to say that Shmoop’s new self-serve system will put the power in the user’s hands, where it belongs. And that is one tasty proposition. With whipped cream and a cherry on top.

No one understands the importance of warmly nurturing hatchlings like the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA). The association’s Innovation Incubator Program is designed to shine a spotlight on companies that are excelling in educating students with the use of new technologies, and to recognize and reward companies for valuable accomplishments.

But it’s not just a pat on the head and an emphatic, “Good boy!” SIIA personally provides mentoring for those entrepreneurs it deems to be on the cutting edge of online education.

Shmoop, a publisher of digital curriculum and test prep, has been named one of this year’s finalists. SIIA is recognizing Shmoop for its many innovations in learning technology, including the Shmoopsterpiece Theater, where students can learn about a variety of topics by watching fun, informative videos. The company’s test prep helps prepare students for the SAT*, ACT®, and all of the AP* exams—in other words, all things college readiness. Additionally, personalized dashboards and diagnostics help students soak up knowledge like a Bounty-brand paper towel. It’s called the quicker picker-upper for a reason.

Shmoop already reaches more than 1,000 schools and districts and has plans to grow even further. There aren’t any schools on Mars yet, but as soon as there are, Shmoop will be on it. There’s no reason that little green men shouldn’t have an opportunity to learn about trigonometric functions, too.

Shmoop looks forward to the mentoring process and is greatly appreciative of the guidance SIIA can offer as the site continues to expand its offerings and improve its online teaching methods. After all, you can’t make a chicken casserole without hatching a few eggs.

Students can now slay the beast with access to a wealth of valuable AP guides and test prep materials.Shmoop, a publisher of digital curriculum and test prep, is offering test-takers everything they need to make those exams get down on their scaly knees and beg for mercy.

Diagnostic exams to identify topics that need a little extra TLC (Terrified, Last-second Cramming). But why stop there? Shmoop also provides links to sections to review and drills to complete so students can pump a little cranial iron.

Updated answer explanations that are informative, engaging, and include about 100 percent more links to YouTube cat videos than ever before. Purr, baby, very purr.

Guides to every single AP exam. This includes the “Big Five” (English Literature, English Language, U.S History, Calculus AB, and Statistics) as well as the, uh… “Tiny Three” (Italian Language and Culture, Japanese Language and Culture, and Studio Art: 3-D Design Portfolio).

Guides to AP Calculus AB…and AP Calculus BC. Guides to AP Physics B…and AP Physics C. Guides to AP Microeconomics…and AP Macroeconomics. Guides to AP Spanish Language…and AP Spanish Literature and Culture. Shmoop goes so far above and beyond that they sometimes start to feel a little light-headed due to the change in atmospheric pressure.

Because there’s no point in studying for an exam that doesn’t actually exist, all of Shmoop’s guides are updated to meet the 2013 AP exam requirements. Sorry to anyone who was gearing up to take the AP Unicorns and Ponies exam.

Shmoop has been working tirelessly to keep their AP materials fresh, fun and funny. And just a little funky. (Probably shouldn’t have left them sitting out in the sun for so long.)

The best thing about this hydra? Once it loses one of its heads, it doesn’t regrow another one. Which is fantastic news, because talk about your severe cases of halitosis.

Shmoop, a publisher of digital curriculum and test prep, knows that users would prefer to make purchases without having to change out of their pajamas. With that in mind, Shmoop is happy to announce the opening of its new, official university store. It is 100 percent online, so users can 100 percent avoid all human interaction and contact. Just the way they like it.

The Shmoop “Shtuff Store” will offer a variety of products, from sweatshirts to mugs to iPhone cases. Anyone can hop online and, within seconds, have instant access to whatever Shtuff their little heart desires.

Shmoop will also be offering Shmoint incentives in the near future. “Shmoints” are points that are awarded for achieving or completing various tasks on the site, and can be used as a measuring stick to award bragging rights to particularly Shmoopy individuals. In the Shtuff Store, users will eventually be able to get discounted prices on merchandise by cashing in a number of their Shmoints. So start hoarding them like nuts before a long, hard winter.

Shmoop will be adding hundreds of items to the store, so there will only be more and more opportunities to ensconce oneself in Shmoop paraphernalia, and to liquefy those Shmoints

Shmoop, a publisher of digital curriculum and test prep, is proud to offer this new SAT Math practice tool.Math Shack features more than 200 types of problems that will hone a user’s skills in all test areas—Numbers and Operations, Algebra and Functions, Geometry and Measurement, and Statistics and Probability. The probability of Math Shack increasing one’s SAT test score? About 100 percent. And that’s rounding down.

Every problem comes with hints and detailed explanations of the answer, so that if a student didn’t know what in the world they were doing before they started the problem, they will when they’re done. There is also a tracking feature that maintains stats on a student’s progress, and shows them the areas where they may still need work. And it’s guaranteed not to laugh and point and mock the user for any wrong answers.

Math Shack is something like a dojo, a gym, or a training center where one can go to bulk up on smarts. By the time a student leaves, their brain will be absolutely ripped.

Once inside Shmoop’s regular SAT product, Math Shack is instantly accessible. A user can simply jump back and forth between the two as they pump their noggin full of formulas and variables. A student can learn a concept in Shmoop’s SAT Math test prep section, then head immediately over to Math Shack to test out their newfound knowledge on a handful of sample problems. It’s a funky little shack.

All of Shmoop’s guides are aligned to Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for Algebra I, Geometry, Biology, Civics and U.S. History. These guides include test-specific strategies for each Florida EOC Assessment that are presented in a hilarious—yet informative—narrative.

Students can take diagnostic exams to assess their strengths, then brush up on problem areas with Shmoop’s extensive bank of practice problems. Each guide also comes with three full-length practice exams, as well as detailed answer explanations.

“We’re so pleased that our kids will be able to take advantage of Shmoop’s online materials as they prep for the EOCs,” stated Julie Young, president and CEO for Florida Virtual School. “Shmoop takes difficult, complex subjects and puts a fun, light-hearted spin on things, making it easy and enjoyable for our students to learn.”

“It’s very exciting that we have this opportunity to work with one of the foremost leaders in online education,” said Shmoop President and CEO Ellen Siminoff. “Obviously, we are passionate about expanding the capabilities of digital learning, and we’re proud to collaborate with such a trailblazer in the field.”

Students getting ready to tackle the EOCs can access Shmoop through their EOC courses and let Shmoop’s Algebra I guide explain why FOIL isn’t just something that’s wrapped over last night’s meatloaf, or check out the Biology guide to find out more about pea flowers than they ever wanted to know.

Of course, not all lectures are snooze-fests. But if the only thing kids did all day was sit and listen to instructors chatter at them, it would get old fast.

Shmoop, a publisher of digital curriculum and test prep, recognizes that video can be a powerful tool in learning. The company wants to help teachers connect with their students in every way possible. If there were exciting new advancements in telepathic lesson-teaching, Shmoop would be on top of it.

For that reason, Shmoop has recently added a boatload of new Video Activities to its Teacher Guides that teachers can use to supplement their teaching methods. Whether doing an analysis of 1984 (and Casey Affleck thought his Big Brother was a tough act to follow), Romeo and Juliet (the original Edward and Bella) or To Kill a Mockingbird (sure, if you want PETA on your butt), Shmoop has the videos that will have teachers covered.

In all, 26 new video activities are available—all Common Core-aligned—and many more are slated to be added soon. Don’t be surprised if, before long, Shmoop is even offering a video with a detailed analysis of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Because everyone knows that what makes that book so popular is all of the allegorical subtext.

Shmoop, a publisher of digital curriculum and test prep, has finished a guide to each AP exam that is offered. The company now proudly offers a guide for every AP exam students have ever wanted to take … as well as those they’ve been trying to avoid at all costs. Ahem, AP French.

Now students can prep for marathon sessions in the testing room with full-length practice exams, and then review the results with in-depth answer explanations. Shmoop can’t exactly replicate the feeling of desperately needing to take a bathroom break with two hours to go, but it will do its darnedest to simulate it. In fact, students may want to invest in a colostomy bag.

So how will Shmoop’s AP Guides help?

• If a student thinks Caravaggio is one of the drink sizes at Starbucks, Shmoop’s AP Art History Guide will help them master the masters. They’ll learn all about Leonardo, Rafael, Michelangelo, Donatello and Splinter.

• When studying for one of the AP Physics exams, students will often find their rate of energy decreasing. Shmoop will pump plenty of energy back into their systems so that friction doesn’t slow them to a stop.

• For the patriotically inclined, Shmoop offers prep for the AP U.S. Government and Politics exam. What makes the Constitution so important? Start with the fact that it’s the oldest written plan of government still in force anywhere in the world—225 years old and still going strong. Not even Betty White can make such a claim.

• Even if one is indifferent to chemistry, Shmoop can still get a reaction. Its AP Chemistry Guide will shed light on why molecules in solids have a hard time getting up close and personal, while molecules in liquids are free to mingle. It’s kind of like the difference between being grounded and speed-dating—it dramatically increases the opportunity for something interesting to happen.

• Shmoop can identify a student’s strengths and weaknesses with its brand-new diagnostic exams. It’s easier than taking blood pressure, and no one has to spend three hours on hold with Blue Shield afterward.

• Looking for some extra practice? Shmoop has drills on drills on drills (on drills).

• Students can track how they’re doing with their very own, personally tailored dashboards. They just need to be careful when the tailor starts checking their inseam. They still have their rights.

• For teachers who like organizing students into pods, pools, parties, and … uh, prides, Shmoop Classrooms offers the ability to monitor groups of students in their classes. It also comes in real handy when teachers need to form an impromptu mosh pit.

• Want a bird’s-eye view of Shmoopdom? Analytics lets a user monitor the nitty-gritty of all the students, teachers and classrooms under a license.

Shmoop has now completed a guide to every AP exam, making the site a one-stop shop for all things AP. From Statistics to Environmental Science to any AP “-ology,” it’ll help prepare students to knock the stuffing out of those big, bad tests.

To respond to this need, Tustin High School in Tustin, Calif., turned to Shmoop, a publisher of digital curriculum and online test prep. And Shmoop, as is its custom, came to the rescue. Although the cape might have been overkill.

“The Shmoop courses are fabulous,” said Eric Mooney, assistant principal of Tustin High School. “Students are walking away from courses knowing that the information they received and knowledge they have gained will have a positive impact on their current and future classes.”

Part of the impact to which Mooney refers came in the form of exam scores. After implementing Shmoop, Tustin High School saw the pass rate for its AP History exam increase from 45 to 80 percent.

Additional benefits Shmoop provides students at Tustin High School include:
• Test prep services for CAHSEE, AP classes, PSAT, ACT and SAT.
• Support for struggling readers in reading comprehension. Because Tom Sawyer is some people’s Sound and the Fury.
• Preparing students for their next level of classes.
• Three, full-length practice tests for AP classes.
• Enhanced skills and knowledge in challenging courses. But … challenging in a good way. Not in that “running the gauntlet” sort of way.

Mooney was particularly impressed with the AP practice tests: “These tests can serve as benchmarks of student progress and help to focus instruction and individualize a student’s AP experience.”

To learn more about Shmoop and how its offerings enhance student learning, visit http://www.shmoop.com.