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Last year we debuted the Summit Scholars initiative, a program to provide free one-on-one, individualized SAT and ACT tutoring to students in underserved communities of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York. Tapping our employees’ connections with non-profits and public schools, we partnered with four organizations: Rosie’s Theater Kids and Columbia’s Double Discovery Center in New York City, Future 5 in Stamford, and Fenway High School in Boston.
Each of these four non-profits has a mission aligned with Summit’s own of helping students reach their full potential. We enlisted their help to select 10 exceptional students from their communities, forming the first cohort of Summit Scholars. These students are driven and ambitious, are stand-outs in their school communities, take on leadership roles, and inspire both their teachers and their peers.
Summit Scholars receive the same personalized service and care that all Summit students enjoy: an expert tutor matched to their learning style and personality, customized tutoring sessions, Summit’s proprietary test prep course books, and unlimited access to practice tests.
The Summit Scholars program was a success!
In a survey following the end of the program, participating students rated their experiences an average of 95 out of 100. The students especially valued their tutors: some cited strong positive relationships, while others noted that tutors made sessions engaging. “I liked learning skills during the tutoring sessions best because my tutor always had great analogies that helped me understand,” one Summit Scholar wrote.
Students reported that the personalized skill-building elements of their tutoring program were important. “My tutor helped me go through some difficult concepts that I had not known before, and I got to learn new things over time, as well as improve my score.” Summit Scholars saw an average improvement of 120 points on the SAT and 4 points on the ACT. Many of them earned scores that will help to broaden their college lists in the fall.
Why Summit Scholars
Summit has spent 32 years observing the college admissions landscape. We’ve developed and continue to perfect methods, materials, and expertise that help our students reach their full potential. We’ve also followed the evolving national conversation around equity. We recognize that as test prep experts, we work to help our students gain access to higher education, and we are seeking ways to impact a broader population of students.
What’s Next for The Summit Scholars Program
The next phase of the Summit Scholars program is already underway. The second cohort will begin working with their Summit tutors this fall in preparation for the Spring 2022 testing season. We have expanded the number of student scholars, as well as the support we offer them: several of our Educational Consultant partners have generously volunteered their services. Summit Scholars, including those from the first cohort, will receive free, personalized counseling and support as they craft their college applications.
We wish the first Summit Scholars cohort the best of luck as they take their next steps in the college admission process. Many thanks to these 10 exceptional students and the four organizations that connected us with them.
