For many schools, test prep means drills, deadlines, and test-day pressure.
But for Legacy Early College in Greensville, South Carolina, and Cane Ridge High School in Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS), it’s become something more – a way to build confidence, bring equity, and produce new opportunities.
During a webinar, Chief Schools Officer at Legacy Early College, Dwight Ho-Sang, and Assistant Principal at Cane Ridge HS, Dr. Travoski Smith, shared how their teams are reimagining test prep to strengthen academic skills, improve school outcomes, and help every student see what’s possible beyond a score.
Jump Ahead:
🧠 The Right Mindset
⚖️ A Tool for Equity
👏 Building Familiarity and Confidence
🗓️ Tutoring During the School Day
💪 Sustainability with TbT
1. Going into it with the Right Mindset
For Dr. Smith, ACT prep isn’t an optional afterthought. It’s now a key part of her school’s graduation and college readiness strategy.
“For Metro Nashville Public Schools, the ACT is now a graduation requirement. Instead of being just another checkbox, it’s become a meaningful part of instruction that helps make our students more well-rounded.”
At Legacy Early College, Dwight shared how his team integrates ACT standards directly into classroom instruction while offering dual enrollment opportunities through local universities.
“We’ve shifted from viewing the test as an endpoint to seeing it as part of a bigger picture — preparing kids to be critical thinkers and positive contributors in the world.”
💡Pro tip: Kick off the year with a College and Career Goal-Setting Day
Help students connect the SAT or ACT to their future aspirations (e.g. scholarships, graduation, postsecondary options). When students see the “why”, motivation follows.
2. Making Test Prep a Tool for Equity
Both agreed that traditional test prep often leaves behind students who can’t afford private tutoring. By embedding support into the school day through high-dosage tutoring, they’re breaking down barriers.
Dwight described how his students, many of whom once doubted their abilities, are now gaining confidence.
“We’ve had kids grow 10 to 15 points. Once they see they can apply what they’ve learned and see progress, it motivates them to take more risks in school and in life.”
Dr. Smith emphasized how accessibility and teacher mindset have been key to making test prep equitable:
“Every junior in our school takes the prep course during the day. That’s equity. And we coach teachers to be positive — because their attitude shapes how students approach the test.”
💡Pro tip: Start small and then grow
If you can’t offer tutoring to all students yet, start small. Pilot with one grade level or a single content area. Focus on consistency over complexity. Even one or two sessions a week can make a difference.
3. Building Familiarity and Confidence
Both leaders are using consistent, low-stakes practice to make students more comfortable with the test format and pacing.
At Legacy Early College, students take multiple mock tests through programs like MasteryPrep, which provides free, automatic scoring and detailed feedback. Dwight shares:
“It gives us a clear starting point and helps identify where each student needs more support.”
Additionally, students at Legacy Early College use tools like Test Prep Wizard and UWorld during advisory periods, gaining repeated “at-bats” that improve pacing and confidence.
“We’re giving them as many opportunities as possible to practice, get feedback, and feel ready.”
💡Pro tip: Give students more at-bats + feedback
Mix short practice tests with quick reflection. Ask: What did you learn? What will you try differently next time? Small wins build big results.
4. Why During the School Day Matters
Both leaders agreed that after-school or weekend prep simply doesn’t work for most high schoolers. Dr. Smith reflects on trying this approach:
“We used to offer Saturday programs, but it was hard to get consistent participation. Now, we carve out time twice a week during the school day, and we’re seeing better engagement and results.”
Dwight shares how in-school test prep takes a more equitable approach:
“When tutoring happens during the day, it removes barriers, It’s about meeting students where they are.”
💡Pro tip: Find the hidden minutes
Look for “hidden minutes” in your schedule (e.g. advisory, study hall, or College & Career blocks) to add tutoring without major disruption. Even short, embedded sessions lead to stronger attendance and participation.
5. Sustaining the Work with Tutored by Teachers
High-dosage tutoring can be logistically complex; however, both leaders credited Tutored by Teachers for making implementation seamless.
For Dwight, it’s made his life easier.
“It’s easy. The reporting, check-ins, and quality of instructors make it simple to manage. The kids connect with their tutors, and attendance takes care of itself.”
At Cane Ridge, where leaders wear multiple hats, the partnership makes a big difference.
“Tutored by Teachers does most of the heavy lifting, From rosters to attendance dashboards, everything is handled. I just make sure teachers are holding students accountable. It’s a piece of cake.”
And the results speak for themselves:
Legacy Early College saw students grow up to 15 points on the ACT with a 85% attendance in tutoring sessions.
After seeing a 21-point percentile growth with just an 8-week pilot in the 2024-2025 school year, Cane Ridge High School expanded its SAT prep for the next year, giving students more time and more confidence heading into the test.
💡Pro tip: Choose the right tutoring partner
Sustainability starts with simplicity. Choose partners who handle logistics — like rosters, scheduling, and reporting — so your team can stay focused on what matters most: growth.
The Takeaway
For both Dwight and Dr. Smith, the SAT and ACT are no longer just measures of achievement; they’re levers for opportunity.
When schools approach test prep as part of a broader system of support, the results go far beyond a single score.
👉 Watch the full webinar for more strategies shared by Dwight and Dr. Smith.
👉 Want to learn how TbT can support your school? Click here to chat.