Agenda Item
a. Princeton Review SAT Test Prep (Not to Exceed $600,000)
Summary: Presented by: Mrs. Ateshia Lester, Acting Chief of Schools, Division of Schools & Leadership
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education approve the contract for the Princeton Review SAT Test Prep Initiative for 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 2026-2027 school year. During the 2025-2026 school year, the DeKalb County School District SAT Prep Program served 932 students through fall and spring instructional cycles. Participating students increased their average composite score from 1,016 on the baseline assessment to 1,129 on the final practice assessment, representing an average gain of 113 points. Students demonstrated growth in both tested areas. Average Reading and Writing scores increased by approximately 73 points, from 544.13 to 616.97. Average Math scores increased by approximately 41 points, from 471.56 to 512.12. Fall participants demonstrated particularly strong growth, increasing their average composite score by 223 points, from 855 to 1,078. Spring participants entered the program with higher baseline scores and still achieved an average composite increase of 107 points, from 1,059 to 1,166.
These results demonstrate that the program provided students with meaningful access to structured SAT preparation and produced measurable academic growth. The outcomes support continuing the program during the 2026-2027 school year, with an increased focus on student attendance, program completion, targeted mathematics instruction, and the use of assessment data to address individual learning needs.
Financial impact: Schools & Leadership: 100.1000.530000.33611.8530.9990.8010.020.0000
Contact: Mrs. Ateshia Lester, Acting Chief of Schools & Leadership, Division of Schools & Leadership, 678-676-0542
Mr. Damian Bounds, Secondary Area 1 Area Superintendent, Division of Schools & Leadership, 678-676-1079
Dr. Derrica Boochee Davis, Secondary Area 2 Area Superintendent, Division of Schools & Leadership, 678-676-2845
Ms. Vitella Dodson, Executive Administrator, Division of Schools & Leadership, 678-676-1079
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
Summary
Academic Year: 2026–2027
Initiative: Secondary Push Plan – SAT Readiness
Program Overview
DeKalb County School District launched its first districtwide Saturday SAT Prep Program
during the 2024–2025 school year. The program provided juniors and seniors with targeted
instruction, test-taking strategies, and opportunities to complete simulated SAT assessments.
For the 2026–2027 school year, DCSD proposes continuing and strengthening the SAT Prep
Program to ensure that more students are prepared for college admissions and postsecondary
opportunities. The program will build upon lessons learned from previous years by increasing
targeted student recruitment, monitoring participation and progress, and aligning instruction with
students’ identified areas of need.
Program Goals
The 2026–2027 SAT Prep Program will:
• Improve student readiness and performance on the SAT.
• Expand equitable access to high-quality SAT preparation.
• Reduce opportunity and achievement gaps across schools and student groups.
• Increase student confidence and familiarity with the digital SAT format.
• Provide targeted support based on student performance data.
• Increase student participation in college entrance testing.
• Strengthen students’ access to college admissions, scholarships, and other postsecondary
opportunities.
Program Delivery
• Target Grades: 11th- and 12th-grade students
• Schedule: Eight-week instructional cycles offered during the fall and spring semesters
• Instructional Days: Saturdays
• Proposed Times: 9:00–11:00 a.m. and 1:00–3:00 p.m.
• Instructional Partner: The Princeton Review
• Content Areas: Reading and Writing, Mathematics, test-taking strategies, and full-length
digital SAT practice assessments
• Delivery Model: Strategically selected regional sites to provide access for students
throughout the district
Program Enhancements for 2026–2027
The district will implement several enhancements to improve student participation and program
effectiveness. Schools will use PSAT, SAT, course performance, and other available student data
to identify students who would benefit most from the program. School leaders, counselors, and
designated SAT coordinators will support student recruitment and maintain regular
communication with students and families.
Student attendance and performance will be monitored throughout each eight-week cycle.
Practice assessment results will be used to identify skill gaps, adjust instruction, and provide
students with focused feedback. The district will also review participation and outcome data by
school and student group to determine whether the program is reaching students equitably.
The SAT Prep Program will be aligned with the district’s college and career readiness goals and
the administration of the school-day SAT. This alignment will provide students with structured
preparation before taking the official assessment.
Anticipated Outcomes
Through continued implementation of the SAT Prep Program, DCSD anticipates:
• Increased student participation in SAT preparation.
• Improved performance between diagnostic and final practice assessments.
• Increased readiness for the school-day SAT.
• Greater student confidence with SAT content and testing conditions.
• Improved access to college admissions and scholarship opportunities.
• Reduced performance gaps among schools and student groups.
The 2026–2027 SAT Prep Program reflects DCSD’s commitment to providing all students with
the academic preparation, resources, and support necessary to pursue college and other
postsecondary opportunities successfully.
2025–2026 SAT Prep Program Impact
During the 2025–2026 school year, the DeKalb County School District SAT Prep Program
served 932 students through fall and spring instructional cycles. Participating students increased
their average composite score from 1,016 on the baseline assessment to 1,129 on the final
practice assessment, representing an average gain of 113 points.
Students demonstrated growth in both tested areas. Average Reading and Writing scores
increased by approximately 73 points, from 544.13 to 616.97. Average Math scores increased by
approximately 41 points, from 471.56 to 512.12.
Fall participants demonstrated particularly strong growth, increasing their average composite
score by 223 points, from 855 to 1,078. Spring participants entered the program with higher
baseline scores and still achieved an average composite increase of 107 points, from 1,059 to
1,166.
These results demonstrate that the program provided students with meaningful access to
structured SAT preparation and produced measurable academic growth. The outcomes support
continuing the program during the 2026–2027 school year, with an increased focus on student
attendance, program completion, targeted mathematics instruction, and the use of assessment
data to address individual learning needs.
Program Timeline
Fall Semester: Target- Seniors Spring Semester: Target- Juniors
• Sept. 26, 2026 –Practice Test 1 • Jan. 23, 2027 –Practice Test 1
• Oct. 3, 2026 – Instructional Session • Jan. 30, 2027 – Instructional Session
• Oct.17, 2026 – Instructional Session
• Feb. 6, 2027 – Instructional Session
• Oct. 24, 2026 – Instructional Session
• Oct. 31, 2026 – Instructional Session • Feb. 13, 2027 – Instructional Session
• Nov. 7, 2026 – Instructional Session • Feb.20, 2027 – Instructional Session
• Nov. 14, 2026 – Instructional Session • Feb. 27, 2027 – Instructional Session
• Nov. 21, 2026 –Practice Test 2 • March 6, 2027 – Instructional Session
• Dec. 5, 2026 – Fall SAT test date
• March 13, 2027 –Practice Test 2
• March 17, 2027 – Districtwide SAT
test during the day
Host Site Schools Served
Lakeside Cross Keys and Lakeside
Chamblee Dunwoody and Chamblee
Clarkston Clarkston, Stone Mountain, DSA, DAS
Tucker DECA, Tucker, Druid Hills
Lithonia Stephenson, Lithonia, Redan, and Towers
Miller Grove MLK, Miller Grove, Arabia, and Columbia
Cedar Grove Southwest Dekalb, Cedar Grove, McNair
Site AM Capacity PM Capacity Total
Lakeside 70 70 140
Chamblee 70 70 140
Clarkston 70 70 140
Tucker 70 70 140
Lithonia 70 70 140
Miller Grove 70 70 140
Cedar Grove 70 70 140
Total 980
Term Details Cost
Fall Princton Review- Up to 15 hours of instruction, $252,000
with 4 courses per school (2 morning and 2 afternoon),
serving up to 35 students per course, and including 2
proctored practice tests
Fall Site Coordinator (8 Saturdays, 6 hours/Saturday, $40/hour X $26,880
7 Sites)
Custodian (overtime rate*- Approximately 8 Saturday, 6
hours/Saturday, $40/hour X 7 Sites)
Spring Princton Review- Up to 15 hours of instruction, $252,000
with 4 courses per school (2 morning and 2 afternoon),
serving up to 35 students per course, and including 2
proctored practice tests
Spring Site Coordinator (8 Saturdays, 6 hours/Saturday, $40/hour X $26,880
7 Sites)
Custodian (overtime rate*- Approximately 8 Saturday, 6
hours/Saturday, $40/hour X 7 Sites)
Total $557,760