Agenda Item
a. Princeton Review SAT Test Prep (Not to exceed $600,000)
Summary: Presented by Dr. Candace Alexander, Chief of Accountability & Research, Division of Accountability & Research
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the contract for the Princeton Review SAT Test Prep Initiative in an amount not to exceed $600,000.
Why: In alignment with Strategic Goal Area 1: Student Academic Success with Equity and Access, this request is for contracted services from Princeton Review to provide SAT Test Prep for DCSD High School students. The goal is to level the playing field by offering our students a better chance at achieving higher test scores, which are key for college admissions and scholarships. Participating in test prep can also bolster their academic skills more broadly, improving their overall educational outcomes and long-term economic prospects.
Details: This period of service is the 2025-2026 school year.
Financial impact: The purchase amount not to exceed $600,000 will be paid using funds budgeted by Schools & Leadership:
100.1000.530000.33611.8530.9990.8010.020.0000
Contact: Dr. Thomas Glanton, Area Superintendent of High Schools, Division of Schools & Leadership, 678-676-1079,
Mrs. Michelle Dillard, Chief of Schools & Leadership, Division of Schools & Leadership, 678-676-0542,
Dr. Candace Alexander, Chief of Accountability & Research, Division of Accountability & Research, 678-676-0733,
Mr. Damion Bounds, Executive Administrator, Division of Schools & Leadership, 678-676-7247,
Mr. Ennis Harvey, Executive Administrator, Division of Schools & Leadership, 678-676-1079
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
Dekalb County Schools Secondary Push Plan
Initiative: SAT Prep
DeKalb County Schools SAT Prep Program Summary
Academic Year: 2024-2025Initiative: Secondary Push Plan - SAT Readiness
Program Overview
In 2024-2025, DeKalb County School District (DCSD) implemented its first-ever districtwide
Saturday SAT Prep Program, designed to prepare juniors and seniors for college admissions
through targeted instruction and test simulation,
Goals:
e Improve SAT readiness and scores
e- Expand equitable access to high -quality SAT prep
• Close opportunity gaps across clusters and schools
Program Delivery
• Target Grades: 11th and 12th Grade Students
• Schedule: 8-week cycles, Fall (Oct-Nov) and Spring (March-April)
• Times: Saturdays, 9AM-llAM / 1PM-3PM
• Partner: Princeton Review
• Content: Math, Reading, Writing & Language, full-length practice exams
• Supports: Personalized feedback, test-taking strategies
*
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IfI! N llVELS
HEIGHTS Initiative : SAT Prep
Site Locations
Host Site Schools Served
Lakeside Cross Keys, La keside
Chamblee Dunwoody, Chamblee
Clarkston Clarkston, Stone Mountain, DSA, DAS
Tucker DECA, Tucker, Druid Hills
Lithonia Stephenson, Lithonia , Redan, Towers
Miller Grove King, Miller Grove, Arabia, Columbia
Cedar Grove Southwest DeKalb, Cedar Grove, Mcl\Jair
Student Participation
Session Grade Level Students Served
Fall 2024 12th Grade 359
Spri ng 2025 11th Grade 740
Total 1,099
12% of students participated in the SAT Prep.
Note: Spring attendance data reports indicate higher overall engagement among juniors, with
improved recruitment from counselors and principals.
Program Outcomes
• Broad Impact: Over 1,000 students received structured, high-qual ity SAT preparation
• Equity of Access: All clusters and comprehensive high schools served
• Stronger Junior Engagement: Spring session (juniors) saw nearly double the senior
enrollment
• Instructional Quality: Princeton Review delivered expert-level instruction and
personalized practice
• Actionable Insights: Attendance gaps and fidelity issues were identified-improvements
proposed below
Recommendations for 2025-2026
• Continue SAT Prep investment with enhanced fidel ity monitoring
• Add required weekly attendance uploads and centralized tracking
• Introduce digital/virtual prep option for addit ional flexibility
• Link to College Board score data to measure program effectiveness
Dekalb County Schools Secondary Push Plan
Initiative: SAT Prep
• Increase school-level accountability via counselor support and incentives for full
participation