CollegeSpring

What CollegeSpring does

CollegeSpring is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit founded in 2008 and headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, that provides teacher-led, in-school test preparation for the Digital SAT, ACT, and TSIA2 to economically disadvantaged high school students. Its core delivery is a proprietary Learning Management System (LMS) implemented in 2021 that houses digital curriculum, lesson plans, pacing guides aligned to state standards, practice tests, and real-time student analytics, with the Desmos calculator embedded for digital math sections and LTI integration to interoperate with non-Agilix LMS platforms. Programs are embedded in the school day within core courses, electives, or AVID classes and taught by students' own teachers, supported by a Partner Success Team providing 1:1 training and ongoing guidance; this distribution model eliminates the cost and access barriers of commercial test prep. The student base is 95% BIPOC, 80% qualifying for free/reduced lunch, and 76% first-generation college students.

CollegeSpring's go-to-market is B2B/B2G, targeting school districts and community organizations rather than individual consumers. Distribution runs through direct district partnerships, school-level partnerships, regional Education Service Center agreements (e.g., Region One ESC), and national nonprofit channel partners including College Track and Let's Get Ready. Revenue is generated through district partnership fees and philanthropic grants from institutional funders including Ballmer Group, Kresge Foundation, Dell Foundation, Powell Foundation, Greater Texas Foundation, GM, The Meadows Foundation, and CNP Foundation; programs are free to students. In Texas, the model is reinforced by House Bill 3's CCMR outcome bonus funding of $3,000-$5,000 per qualifying economically disadvantaged student, which can offset or exceed program costs for districts and create a quantifiable ROI case.

The organization operates across 10 states with a Texas concentration (Houston, Dallas, Austin, Rio Grande Valley), serving 16 districts, 48 schools, and 300 teachers, and is poised to serve 25,000 students in 2025 with 100,000+ students served cumulatively since founding. Recent strategic activity includes a $750,000 Powell Foundation grant underwriting the first multi-year district-wide partnership with Alief ISD (2024), a $430,000+ Greater Texas Foundation grant for a Rio Grande Valley expansion via Region One ESC (March 2026), and an Austin market launch (March 2026). Leadership includes CEO Dr. Yoon S. Choi, President Dr. Paula Gama Garcia, COO Arely Benavides, and Managing Director of Program Impact Dr. TaQuana Williams, supported by a Board of Directors chaired by Fred Crawford (AlixPartners).

Name

CollegeSpring

Legal name

CollegeSpring, Inc.

Website

https://collegespring.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CollegeSpring is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit that delivers teacher-led, in-school Digital SAT, ACT, and TSIA2 test preparation to economically disadvantaged high school students via a proprietary LMS, partnering with school districts and community organizations across 10 states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Test Preparation Software

NAICS

Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

K–12 Standardized Assessments & Benchmark Exams Prep (State tests, MAP, ISEE/SSAT) (EDANABAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Assessment, Testing & Analytics Platforms (Formative/Summative) (EDAJAMAC), Educational Digital Courseware & Learning Platforms (LMS-Integrated) (MPAJABAH)

Keywords

• In-school test prep
• SAT prep curriculum
• ACT prep curriculum
• College readiness programs
• Teacher-led test preparation

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. District and School Partnership Fees: CollegeSpring generates revenue through fee-for-service partnerships with school districts and schools. Districts pay for access to the LMS, curriculum, teacher training, and ongoing Partner Success support. Partnerships are often subsidized or funded through philanthropic grants (e.g., Powell Foundation, Greater Texas Foundation), reducing or eliminating direct district costs.
2. Donations and Philanthropic Grants: As a nonprofit, CollegeSpring receives donations from individuals and institutional funders (Ballmer Group, Kresge Foundation, Dell Foundation, Powell Foundation, GM, Meadows Foundation, CNP Foundation). Major grants include $430,000+ from Greater Texas Foundation and $750,000 from Powell Foundation. These fund program delivery and expansion.
3. CCMR State Funding Unlocking: Indirect revenue benefit for partner districts: through improved student test scores, districts unlock Texas House Bill 3 CCMR bonus funding ($3,000-$5,000 per qualifying student). This creates a compelling ROI case that incentivizes district investment in the program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CollegeSpring provides in-school, teacher-led test preparation for the Digital SAT®, ACT®, and TSIA2 exams, delivered by students' own classroom teachers during the regular school day via a proprietary Learning Management System (LMS). Programs include robust lesson plans, pacing guides, practice tests designed from official test specifications, real-time analytics, and Desmos calculator integration, and are aligned to state standards so districts can meet readiness benchmarks and unlock state funding such as Texas House Bill 3 CCMR bonuses.

Product overview

CollegeSpring is a national nonprofit that provides in-school test prep programs for the Digital SAT, ACT, and TSIA2 tests through a teacher-led curriculum delivery model. The core offering consists of three distinct test preparation programs—Digital SAT, ACT, and TSIA2—all delivered via CollegeSpring's proprietary Learning Management System (LMS). This integrated platform houses digital curriculum, robust lesson plans, practice tests, and real-time analytics. The LMS serves as the technology backbone that enables teacher support, data-driven instruction adaptation, and student progress tracking. Programs are embedded in the school day and aligned to state standards, with the Desmos calculator integrated into ACT and Digital SAT products. CollegeSpring launched all three programs simultaneously in 2023, marking a significant product portfolio expansion from its earlier offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Digital SAT® Test Prep Program In-school test preparation program for the Digital SAT® college entrance exam, embedded in the school day and taught by students' own teachers. Includes lesson plans, practice tests based on dissected official test specifications, pacing guides aligned to state standards, Desmos calculator integration, and real-time analytics to drive measurable score gains. Targeted at K-12 districts and schools serving grades 9–12, particularly economically disadvantaged and first-generation college students.
• ACT® Test Prep Program In-school ACT® test preparation program integrated into core courses, electives, or AVID classes during the school day. Builds English, math, and writing skills with practice tests aligned to official ACT specifications, Desmos calculator familiarity, and data-driven differentiated instruction to improve student scores and state readiness outcomes. Sold to K-12 districts and schools serving grades 9–12.
• TSIA2 (Texas Success Initiative Assessment) Test Prep Program In-school test preparation for the TSIA2 used in Texas to measure college, career, and military readiness. Tailored to Texas state standards and designed to help districts improve CCMR outcomes and unlock Texas House Bill 3 CCMR outcome bonus funding. Delivered by students' own teachers during the regular school day via the CollegeSpring LMS, and targeted at Texas K-12 districts and schools (including partners such as Alief ISD, Dallas ISD, Mesquite ISD, and six Region One ESC districts in the Rio Grande Valley).
• CollegeSpring Learning Management System (LMS) Proprietary data-rich digital platform housing Digital SAT, ACT, and TSIA2 curriculum, lesson plans, pacing guides, practice tests, and real-time student analytics. Enables teacher training, progress tracking, and personalized learning pathways; embedded Desmos calculator supports math instruction in ACT and Digital SAT products, and a 'Publish Anywhere' LTI integration enables interoperability with non-Agilix district LMS systems. Provided to school districts, schools, Education Service Centers, and nonprofit college-access partners as the technology backbone for CollegeSpring's programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students improved SAT scores by 100 points on average (homepage claim). Latest cohort: 137-point improvement (~20%).
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Region One Education Service CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional ESC partnership enabling CollegeSpring to deliver scalable test prep across multiple districts in South Texas. ESC supports school system academic improvement and college/career readiness across the region.
• RGV FocuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Greater Texas Foundation-funded Rio Grande Valley initiative to strengthen CCMR across the region. RGV Focus collaborates with CollegeSpring to expand college readiness.
• Breakthrough Central TexascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustin launch partner working with CollegeSpring to bring equitable test prep to underserved Austin-area students.
• Del Valle ISDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustin launch partner; district implementing CollegeSpring's in-school test prep programs for its students.
• Austin AchievecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustin launch partner; organization collaborating with CollegeSpring to expand college readiness in the Austin market.
• College TrackmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational nonprofit partner implementing CollegeSpring's test prep programs with its student populations. Partnership launched in 2020.
• Let's Get ReadymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational nonprofit partner implementing CollegeSpring's test prep programs. Partnership launched in 2020.
• Detroit Public Schools Community DistrictmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCollegeSpring's first district partnership, launched in 2020 during the pandemic. The district adopted CollegeSpring's virtual test prep model during COVID-19 school closures.
• Alief ISDcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHouston-area district with the largest concentration of students; first multi-year district partnership launched in 2024. All 9th-12th graders receive weekly CollegeSpring test prep during the school day. The partnership is funded by a $750,000 Powell Foundation grant and could unlock up to $10 million in CCMR bonus funding.
• Edcouch-Elsa ISDcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOne of six Region One ESC districts partnering with CollegeSpring. Program embedded in school day by students' own teachers.
• La Villa ISDcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegion One ESC district partner; CollegeSpring test prep implemented during regular school hours.
• Lyford CISDcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegion One ESC district partner receiving in-school, teacher-led test prep for Digital SAT, ACT, TSIA2, and Dual Enrollment Readiness.
• Santa Maria ISDcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegion One ESC district partner. Teachers report that differential practices provide students with immediate feedback and improve test scores.
• Santa Rosa CISDcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegion One ESC district partner; CollegeSpring programs embedded in school day.
• Vanguard AcademycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegion One ESC charter school network partner. Teachers report the program is easy to implement with ready-to-use materials for diverse student needs.
• Dallas ISDmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOne of CollegeSpring's largest Texas district partners since 2022. CollegeSpring supports college and career readiness across the district.
• Mesquite ISDmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTexas district partner since 2022; CollegeSpring supports college and career readiness benchmark attainment.
• Classy (GoFundMe)minorOthersThird-party donation platform used by CollegeSpring for online charitable giving. Classy processes donations made through the website.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Method Test Prep (Method Learning): Method Test Prep provides school- and district-implemented SAT/ACT prep programs delivered by classroom teachers, directly mirroring CollegeSpring's in-school, teacher-led distribution model and customer base (K–12 districts).
• Let's Get Ready: National nonprofit providing SAT/ACT and college access programming to low-income students; overlaps with CollegeSpring on mission, target population, and channel-based delivery (and is also an implementation partner).
• Testive: Online SAT/ACT prep company combining adaptive software with human coaching; comparable in product category (digital test prep) and target students preparing for college entrance exams.
• PrepScholar: Adaptive online SAT/ACT prep platform with personalized study plans; competes with CollegeSpring's digital test prep offering for the same college-bound student demographic.
• Revolution Prep: Test prep and academic support provider offering SAT/ACT programs delivered in schools and online; directly comparable in delivery model (in-school + digital) and standardized test focus.

Broad incumbents

• The Princeton Review: Established commercial test prep brand offering SAT/ACT courses, tutoring, and admissions services; broader portfolio but directly competes for the same standardized test prep demand CollegeSpring addresses.
• Kaplan Test Prep: Large commercial test prep and admissions provider with SAT/ACT courses, tutoring, and K-12 offerings; significant overlap with CollegeSpring's core subject matter across a much broader product portfolio.
• Khan Academy (Official SAT Practice): Free, College Board-endorsed SAT prep platform; competes as a free alternative for individual students and a complementary resource that districts may adopt instead of CollegeSpring.
• Varsity Tutors: Online tutoring and test prep provider serving K-12 students including SAT/ACT; broader enterprise offering that overlaps with CollegeSpring's district- and school-purchased test prep use case.
• Sylvan Learning: Commercial tutoring and test prep franchise network offering SAT/ACT prep; serves a similar demographic and competes for district and family test prep dollars.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@collegespring
• Xx.com/CollegeSpring
• Facebookfacebook.com/CollegeSpring
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/collegespring

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CollegeSpring