What Denver Test Prep does

Denver Test Prep (DTP) is a private, founder-owned tutoring and test preparation company headquartered in Centennial, Colorado, with a second office in Boulder. The firm was originally founded as NYC Test Prep in 2008 by Dan Koken, who relocated the business to Denver in 2012 to focus on the Colorado market; Adam Silver serves as President. DTP offers one-on-one and small-group tutoring and coaching across standardized test preparation (SAT, ACT, PSAT, GRE, LSAT, GMAT, HSPT, ISEE, SSAT), K-12 academic subjects (math, science, history, languages, writing, AP exams), reading and dyslexia intervention using Orton-Gillingham and other structured-literacy approaches, executive functioning and academic coaching, admissions essay writing and review, and STEM/academic enrichment programs (robotics, chemistry, backyard naturalist) for grades 1-8.

Services are delivered via three channels: in-home sessions across the Denver and Boulder metro areas (covering 19+ cities), office-based sessions at the Centennial and Boulder locations, and online virtual sessions using digital whiteboards and screen sharing technology available nationwide and internationally. The company employs full-time professional tutors averaging 10+ years of teaching experience, supported by part-time specialists, with a historical 10% applicant acceptance rate requiring top-2% test scores and selective college backgrounds; senior staff hold certifications in Orton-Gillingham, Wilson Reading System, Lindamood-Bell, and related structured-literacy methodologies. Dedicated directors oversee Reading Programs, Test Prep and Training, Intervention Programs (including the Colorado Reads school-based tutoring initiative), Nonprofit Programs, and Boulder/Operations, reflecting a multi-line specialty practice rather than a single-service offering.

DTP's revenue model is professional-services-based, charging hourly rates with a 3-session minimum, 90-minute session default, and a risk-free trial session that converts to the first paid session as the primary customer acquisition mechanism. The go-to-market is sales-led direct-to-consumer, supplemented by referral partnerships with nonprofits (Minds Matter Denver, Impact360, Access Opportunity), schools (Cherry Creek High School Poms), and community organizations (Elite Speed Sports Performance). A Pay What You Can SAT/ACT class and subsidized nonprofit programs extend access to underserved students. The company is privately held with no disclosed funding, no parent company, and no subsidiaries; ownership appears concentrated in the founder and management team.

Name

Denver Test Prep

Legal name

Denver Test Prep

Website

https://denvertestprep.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Denver Test Prep is a private Colorado-based tutoring and test preparation company serving K-12, college, and graduate students with in-home, in-office, and online instruction across standardized exams, academics, reading/dyslexia intervention, and executive functioning coaching.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Test Preparation and Tutoring Services

NAICS

Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Test Prep & Exam Readiness (K–12) (EDAJALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Test Prep Learning Centers (SAT/ACT, AP/IB, State Exams) (EDANAHAH), K–12 Standardized Assessments & Benchmark Exams Prep (State tests, MAP, ISEE/SSAT) (EDANABAD), Test-Taking Strategy, Diagnostics & Score Improvement Coaching (cross-exam) (EDANABAJ), Advanced Placement & College Credit Exams (CLEP/DSST) Prep (EDANABAF), Test Prep Tutoring Platforms (SAT/ACT/GRE/GMAT, etc.) (EDANAGAH)

Keywords

• Standardized test prep
• Academic tutoring services
• College admissions prep
• Reading intervention services
• Executive functioning coaching

Headquarters

HQ city

Centennial

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. One-on-One Tutoring Services: Hourly tutoring sessions for standardized test prep (SAT, ACT, GRE, LSAT, GMAT, HSPT, ISEE, SSAT), academic tutoring (K-12 subjects), and reading/dyslexia intervention. Sessions priced hourly with 90-minute minimum (60 minutes for reading intervention).
2. Academic Coaching: Executive functioning coaching services to help students with organization, planning, time management, and study skills.
3. Nonprofit Partnership Programs: Customized one-on-one tutoring and test prep courses offered to nonprofit organizations at reduced rates for disadvantaged youth.
4. Small Group Tutoring: Small group lessons offered to siblings or friends preparing for the same exam at discounted rates. Groups must be formed by parents/students themselves.
5. Enrichment Programs: Summer and after-school enrichment programs including robotics, chemistry, and backyard naturalist programs for students in grades 1-8.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Denver Test Prep provides one-on-one and small group tutoring services for K-12 academics, standardized test preparation (SAT, ACT, GRE, LSAT, GMAT, PSAT, HSPT, ISEE, SSAT), reading and dyslexia intervention, academic coaching for executive functioning, and admissions essay writing. Services are delivered in-home, at DTP offices in Centennial and Boulder, or online via digital whiteboards and screen sharing. The company also runs reduced-rate nonprofit partnership programs and STEM enrichment programs for grades 1-8.

Product overview

Denver Test Prep is an education services company offering a comprehensive portfolio of tutoring and test preparation services in the Denver and Boulder metro areas, with both in-person and online delivery options. The core offering consists of one-on-one and small group tutoring across academic subjects (Math, Science, English, Foreign Languages), standardized test prep (SAT, ACT, GRE, LSAT, GMAT, PSAT, HSPT, ISEE, SSAT), reading and dyslexia intervention using Orton-Gillingham methodology, academic coaching for executive functioning, admissions essay writing services, and K-12 enrichment programs in STEM disciplines (robotics, chemistry, natural sciences). The company also operates nonprofit partnership programs providing subsidized tutoring to disadvantaged youth. Key products include Academic Tutoring, Academic Coaching, College/Grad/Prep School Admissions Exam Preparation, Reading and Dyslexia Tutoring, Enrichment Programs, and Admissions Essay Writing and Review.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Academic Tutoring One-on-one and small group tutoring services for K-12 academic subjects including French, History, Math, Science, Spanish, and Writing, as well as AP exam preparation and college course support. Delivered in-home, at DTP offices, or online.
• Academic Coaching Executive functioning and study skills coaching services to help students develop organization, planning, time management, and learning strategies.
• College Admissions Exams Preparation Test preparation services for SAT, ACT, and PSAT standardized college entrance exams, including study guides, test dates, and personalized prep plans.
• Grad School Admissions Exams Preparation Test preparation services for graduate school entrance exams including GRE, LSAT, and GMAT.
• Prep School Admissions Exams Preparation Test preparation for private and prep school entrance exams including HSPT, ISEE, and SSAT.
• Reading and Dyslexia Tutoring Specialized reading intervention and dyslexia remediation services using Orton-Gillingham and other structured literacy approaches, including reading assessments.
• Admissions Essay Writing and Review College admissions essay planning, writing, and review services to help students craft compelling application essays.
• Enrichment Programs STEM and academic enrichment programs including robotics and circuitry, chemistry, and backyard naturalist courses for students in grades 1-8.
• Nonprofit Partnership Programs Customized one-on-one tutoring and test prep courses offered to nonprofit organizations serving disadvantaged youth at reduced rates.
• Math Foundations Courses 13-week small group courses designed to introduce students to fundamental math concepts typically covered in first-semester math classes.
• Small Group Academic Coaching Course Weekly small group coaching sessions for grades 9-12 addressing common school challenges, combined with one-on-one coaching to check grades and monitor progress.

Quantifiable outcome

• Full-time professional tutors with average of 10+ years teaching experience
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Access OpportunityminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Sponsored the 2018 Raise a Glass event, donating tutoring package for silent auction to support high-potential, low-income students from high school through college.
• Minds Matter DenvercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorked with Denver Test Prep to develop an in-house test prep program for high-potential, low-income students preparing for college. DTP helped MMD create comprehensive and sustainable SAT preparation plans, provided resources accounting for technology limitations, and offered expertise for students at all score levels.
• Impact360coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing standardized test preparation through 1-on-1 tutoring and group programs for ACT, SAT, and private high school admissions exams including SSAT.
• Elite Speed Sports PerformanceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPreferred tutoring partner for student-athletes. Provides 1-on-1 private tutoring and small group classes. Reports average ACT score increase of 5 points for their athletes.
• Learning AllyminorOthersDan Koken, Founder of Denver Test Prep, serves as member of the national board for Learning Ally, a nonprofit supporting students with dyslexia and visual impairments.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Princeton Review: Major national test prep company offering SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, and MCAT prep through courses, tutoring, and online tools. Directly comparable to DTP in target exams, customer base (college-bound students), and service model.
• Varsity Tutors: Online and in-person tutoring platform offering 1:1 academic tutoring, test prep, and enrichment across K-12 and college. Directly comparable on customer base, service breadth (academic + test prep), and online delivery model.
• Magoosh: Online test prep company for GRE, GMAT, SAT, ACT, MCAT, LSAT with self-paced video lessons and practice tools. Comparable on exam portfolio and target customer; pure digital delivery vs. DTP's human-led model.
• Manhattan Prep: Premium test prep specialist for GMAT, GRE, LSAT, and SAT with both instructor-led courses and 1:1 tutoring. Closely comparable to DTP on instructor-driven model, exam portfolio, and premium positioning.
• Wyzant: Online marketplace connecting students to private tutors for academic subjects, test prep, and learning differences. Comparable to DTP on 1:1 tutoring model and exam/academic coverage; differs via marketplace vs. employed-tutor model.
• PrepScholar: Online-first adaptive test prep platform for SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT with self-paced and tutoring tiers. Directly comparable on exam coverage and target customer; differs in delivery model (tech-led vs. human-tutor-led).
• Huntington Learning Center: Franchised in-center tutoring provider offering academic tutoring, test prep (SAT/ACT), and reading intervention with employed instructors. Closely comparable to DTP on instructor-employed model, in-center delivery, and service breadth.
• Sylvan Learning: National franchised tutoring center network offering academic tutoring, test prep, reading programs, and STEM enrichment. Comparable to DTP on K-12 academic, test prep, and reading intervention mix; differs via franchise footprint vs. locally owned model.

Broad incumbents

• Kaplan Test Prep: Large incumbent offering test prep, admissions consulting, and tutoring across the same exam portfolio as DTP (SAT, ACT, GRE, LSAT, GMAT) plus MCAT, USMLE, and bar prep. Overlapping capabilities with DTP but broader portfolio and national scale.

Emerging players

• Khan Academy: Free online learning platform with official SAT practice, AP prep, and AI tutor (Khanmigo) increasingly competing for test prep and academic tutoring mindshare. Indirect competitor to DTP via free/AI-enabled alternatives targeting the same students and parents.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/pg/denvertestprep/reviews/?ref=page_internal
• Xx.com/DenverTestPrep

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 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 Denver Test Prep