In the fall of 2024, New Canaan High School created an SAT tutoring program available to all students. The program, in partnership with Carnegie Prep, a local leader in standardized test prep, offered eight rigorous courses with the goal of improving students’ scores for the School Day SAT in March. Need-based scholarships for the program were funded with a generous grant from the New Canaan Community Foundation (NCCF). The program was named Equal Access for SATs (EOS).
The primary goal of EOS was to level the playing field for all students and improve college outcomes for program participants
The indispensable team who dedicated their time to the creation of this program included me, along with Principal William Egan, Assistant Principal Kristi Carriero, NCCF Program Officer Meg Soffen and the rest of the organization, Director of the College and Career Susan Carroll, Jerry Carnegie III, and his amazing instructors and staff at Carnegie Prep.
The EOS program sponsored 12 students with significant financial constraints to be able to pay for this program, all of whom were covered with a generous grant from the NCCF.
What types of score improvements did these students see?
Overall, while overall New Canaan score improvements have not been published, the NCHS students who took part in Carnegie Prep courses saw significant improvements.
In terms of the EOS program, the students did significantly better from their PSAT to SAT scores with improvements ranging from 30 to 200 points. The average improvement for this program was 114 points. This improvement opens significantly more doors for the types of colleges students can apply to and also improves student confidence going into the college admissions process.
Thoughts from the community about the success of this program
Principal William Egan said, “At New Canaan High School, we are committed to creating opportunities that empower all students. This SAT tutoring program—made possible through our partnership with Carnegie Prep and the generous support of the New Canaan Community Foundation—reflects that mission in action. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished in this pilot year and hopeful about expanding the program in the future. Our goal is to continue creating opportunities like this, as every student deserves the tools they need to reach their full potential. Thank you to Leo for his initiative and drive in making this program possible.”
Susan Carroll, Director of the College and Career Center at NCHS said, “Very seldom do the planets completely align for something so beneficial to happen so easily. From Leo’s ask about SAT prep, to the NCHS administration’s organizing and promoting the program, to Carnegie Prep’s willingness to participate, to the NCCF’s amazing generosity, students who would not have been able to afford this kind of high caliber preparation now have scores they can use in the college admissions and scholarship process. “
What is next for this program?
As far as a pilot program, the EOS team views this as a tremendous success. Pending funding approval from the NCCF and any other donors who would like to make a difference in the lives of New Canaan’s underprivileged families, the EOS team aims to continue this program next school year. We also would like to implement an expanded “sliding-scale” system for families who may be able to contribute partially to their tuition to EOS courses but cannot pay the full amount with the goal of being even more inclusive to all New Canaanites.
I feel a quiet satisfaction that our team has been able to make a big impact on the whole NCHS community. In addition, the whole team is thankful for the support of the NCCF for this project. This program is one of my last initiatives before I graduate and go off to college in the fall; being able to leave knowing that this program made a significant impact on the New Canaan community which has given me so much over the last 17 years is truly gratifying.
This successful effort by Leo Patel is a great example of giving back. Congratulations to Leo Patel