What is the name of your organization?
UpScore Test Prep, LLC
What is the name of your solution?
UpScore
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
An e-learning platform providing equitable access to personalized college and career readiness education.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Columbia, KY 42728, USA
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
United States
What type of organization is your solution team?
For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
The ACT remains a critical factor in determining college admissions and scholarships, yet underserved students score lower due to lack of access to high-quality test prep. This creates long-term disadvantages in college acceptance, scholarship eligibility, and career opportunities.
Supporting Data:
• Only 23% of students nationwide meet all ACT College Readiness Benchmarks (ACT Research Report, 2023).
• Students scoring below 20 on the ACT are 50% less likely to complete college within six years (National Student Clearinghouse, 2023).
• Students from low-income communities score an average of 4 points lower than their wealthier peers, significantly reducing access to scholarships and financial aid (ACT & Equity Research, 2022).
Key Barriers to ACT Prep for Underserved Students:
• High Cost: Private test prep courses cost $500-$2,000, making them inaccessible for low-income students.
• Limited Availability in Rural Areas: Schools in low-income communities often lack structured ACT prep programs.
• Time Constraints: Many students work part-time jobs and cannot attend traditional in-person test prep classes.
Without affordable, structured ACT preparation, many talented students miss out on higher education opportunities, deepening existing social and economic inequalities.
What is your solution?
UpScore is a custom algorithm-driven adaptive learning platform designed to provide affordable, effective, and data-driven ACT test prep for students who lack access to traditional resources. Many test prep options use one-size-fits-all approaches, making them ineffective for students who need personalized, targeted support. UpScore solves this problem by using a custom learning algorithm that adjusts based on student performance, ensuring each learner focuses on high-impact areas for score improvement in the shortest time possible.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
UpScore serves high school students in rural and low-income communities, particularly first-generation college students and those lacking access to affordable ACT prep or structured college readiness programs.
Proven Impact:
1. Cumberland County High School (2023-2024): Implemented UpScore and became 1 of 27 schools nationwide to earn the ACT School of Excellence Award, demonstrating its effectiveness in increasing college applications and readiness.
2. Upward Bound Partnership (2024-2025): Students in Russell, Casey, Clinton, and Wayne Counties are using UpScore to track ACT improvements, with an expected score increase of 2-4 points.
3. Next Level Academic Services, LLC (Georgetown, KY): Partnered to expand access through community-based tutoring programs, proving UpScore’s flexibility across different educational settings.
Projected Outcomes with partners (Next 2 Years):
• 25% increase in students meeting ACT benchmarks.
• 15% rise in first-generation college enrollment.
• Expansion to additional Upward Bound programs, tutoring centers, and rural schools.
• More scholarship opportunities, easing financial barriers.
• Higher college retention and graduation rates, especially in STEM fields, as students enter better prepared.
By increasing ACT success and college readiness, UpScore transforms educational opportunities for underserved students.
