Media Release

DENVER - Denver Public Schools (DPS) today announces a groundbreaking initiative to expand college preparation opportunities, ensuring that students have the tools and resources they need to succeed in their college aspirations. DPS is making a free SAT prep program available for 11th-grade students across district-managed schools through a strategic partnership with Tutored by Teachers, a leading provider of teacher-led personalized learning and student outcomes. 

The program is free to students and their families, with live online sessions conducted by experienced teachers who offer guidance on the Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) sections of the SAT test, as well as test-taking strategies specific to the new digital administration of the test. Students meet two hours a week for eight weeks in preparation for the SAT test this April.

Through this initiative, Denver Public Schools reaffirms its commitment to educational equity and excellence, recognizing the pivotal role standardized testing plays in college admissions. The collaboration with Tutored by Teachers ensures a high-quality, impactful program tailored to meet the unique needs of Denver’s diverse student population. It marks a significant step in leveling the playing field for high school students, especially for those who may not have had access to such preparatory resources in the past. Denver Public Schools is offering this free program for the first time in the district’s history, crossing a new milestone for student achievement.

Key details: 

  • Registration is open

    from Jan. 8 – 19, 2024.

  • The eight-week program will be conducted in two sessions:

  • Jan. 29 – March 23, 2024

  • Feb. 5 – April 5, 2024

  • Students in both sessions will engage in two hours of weekly online sessions.

  • Participating students will have the chance to win $500 for their learning journey.

  • 11th-grade students in Denver Public Schools are strongly encouraged to enroll in this program, solidifying their path toward future success.

The SAT exam is crucial for 11th graders and fulfills an important role in student mastery, offering a competitive edge with college acceptance. High scores can potentially unlock access to over $235 million in scholarship opportunities, essential for those needing financial aid for college. The test assesses academic readiness in key areas like math, reading and writing, and is vital to success in higher education and beyond. Additionally, these scores can guide academic improvement and contribute to state educational accountability measures.

“DPS is proud to partner with Tutored by Teachers to provide a free eight-week virtual SAT prep program for all of our 11th-grade students," said DPS Deputy Superintendent Dr. Tony Smith. "This investment in our student’s future removes barriers and assures that regardless of socio-economic status, access to high-quality test preparation is accessible to all. Denver Public Schools remains committed to creating a level playing field, where every student has the opportunity to thrive and pursue their educational aspirations.”

Tutored by Teachers has a proven track record of delivering successful outcomes at scale with urban districts across the country. The company is powered exclusively by highly qualified, diverse, certified and vetted teachers, leveraging a Whole Child Approach that transcends mere academic achievement. Tutored by Teachers has seen double-digit gains in academic growth for thousands of students due to the company’s vision and commitment to providing authentic and transparent virtual instruction to those most in need.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Denver Public Schools to increase equity and access through high-quality SAT prep for their students,” said Rahul Kalita, co-founder of Tutored by Teachers. “As a mission-driven organization, Tutored by Teachers is always looking for ways to close the opportunity gap and improve student outcomes, particularly for those who historically haven't had access to these types of services. Through this partnership, we'll offer an equitable SAT prep program that helps level the playing field and increases college and career readiness.”

The program is available to 11th graders at the following DPS schools:

  • Abraham Lincoln

  • Bruce Randolph

  • CEC Early College

  • Compassion Road

  • Contemporary Learning Academy

  • DC 21

  • DCIS Baker 6-12

  • Delta

  • Denver Montessori

  • Denver Online

  • Denver School of the Arts

  • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College

  • DSISD

  • East

  • Emily Griffith

  • Excel Academy

  • Florence Crittenton

  • George Washington

  • Gilliam

  • JFK

  • KCAA K-12

  • Legacy Options

  • Manual

  • Montbello Career and Technical

  • Montbello

  • North High School

  • North HS Engagement Center

  • Northfield High School

  • Northeast Early College

  • PREP Academy

  • Respect

  • Robert F. Smith STEAM Academy

  • South

  • Summit Academy

  • Thomas Jefferson

  • Vista Academy 

  • West 

To learn more about the SAT prep program and enroll, visit dpsk12.org/freeSAT.

To learn more about Tutored by Teachers and its impact on student outcomes, visit https://tutored.live.

About Denver Public Schools

One of the largest public school districts in the country, Denver Public Schools serves 89,000 students, 13,000 staff and more than 200 schools. Nearly 37,500 of our students are Multilingual Learners and speak more than 170 languages. At DPS, we're focused on building a system to help every student thrive. We believe in creating vibrant centers of learning where caring teachers engage their students in rigorous, culturally responsive experiences to lift all students toward a bright horizon. Visit us at

https://www.dpsk12.org/

About Tutored by Teachers

Tutored by Teachers is a mission-driven company working to improve outcomes for high-need students and teachers and advance equity in education. Tutored by Teachers partners directly with schools to serve K–12 students through virtual, small group, teacher-led instruction. The company's culturally responsive instructional framework aims to build students' foundational skills and further their social-emotional learning, while paying highly qualified, certified teachers a fair wage. For more information, visit https://www.tutored.live/ and follow @tutored.live on social media.

-DPS-