As summer approaches, high school students across the country are looking forward to a well-earned break from their daily school routine. For many students, this summer will be their last summer before senior year and college applications, meaning their last chance to take the ACT or SAT before submitting their final test scores. Our team at SoFlo is excited to share that this summer we will once again be partnering with local nonprofit Achieve Miami to host an ACT bootcamp to help students across the Miami-Dade area boost their test scores. 

Founded on the idea that high-quality tutoring should be accessible, SoFlo is committed to providing all students with the resources they need to succeed. By partnering with Achieve Miami to host this bootcamp, we aim to ensure that every student, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to improve their test scores and enhance their college applications. Our partnership with organizations like Achieve Miami allows us to reach more students, making a tangible difference in their educational journeys and future opportunities.

SoFlo’s Online ACT Bootcamp

During this six-week bootcamp, SoFlo tutors will be teaching students the fundamental skills necessary for the ACT. Students will be broken up into online groups, where they will receive two-hour biweekly sessions accompanied with after-class homework. Throughout this intensive course, our test experts will teach the fundamental skills related to each of the four sections of the ACT; share tips and tricks of the test; and provide opportunities to practice reinforced skills with real exams. Using a scaffolded teaching approach, our tutors will support students across a variety of skill levels to build on fundamental knowledge across the core subjects of Math, Science, Reading, and Grammar, not only helping boost students’ ACT scores but also reinforcing their understanding of key concepts foundational to higher education. 

By adapting our innovative online curriculum to suit larger groups, SoFlo will provide high quality test prep to large groups of students who might not have otherwise had the opportunity to access such resources. Quality ACT instruction matters because it can dramatically improve students’ scores, boosting their confidence and opening doors to colleges and scholarships that might otherwise be out of reach. It also teaches valuable test-taking strategies, time management, and critical thinking skills that are useful beyond standardized tests. For this reason, SoFlo will be partnering for the fourth year in a row with Achieve Miami, a local Florida nonprofit focused on educational equity.

Who Is Achieve Miami?

Founded in 2015, Achieve Miami is a local Florida nonprofit that seeks to empower students through education and community connection. The mission of Achieve Miami is to bridge disparities, provide meaningful educational experiences, and close opportunity gaps for students throughout the Miami-Dade area. Using data-based research to shape their programs and methodology, Achieve Miami seeks to create engaging learning environments and provide enrichment programs that empower local students to reach their full potential. By partnering with organizations like SoFlo, Achieve Miami ensures that their students have access to the resources and support they need to excel academically and prepare for a successful future.

Standardized Testing And Educational Equity

SoFlo believes that access to high-quality test preparation is crucial for leveling the educational playing field. In a system where standardized tests can significantly impact college admissions and scholarship opportunities, ensuring that all students, regardless of their background, have the tools to succeed is essential. High quality-test prep can contribute to educational equity by providing structured support and resources that some students might not receive elsewhere. SoFlo is committed to making quality test prep accessible to students from diverse socioeconomic groups, ensuring that everyone has a fair shot at achieving their academic goals. By continuing to partner with organizations like Achieve Miami, we are able to make that vision a reality. 

Returning To Standardized Tests

Particularly over the last few years, standardized testing has come into the spotlight. While some schools have permanently done away with standardized testing, many have reinstated their SAT/ACT requirements^^. One key reason is that many prestigious universities have found that standardized tests are beneficial for promoting diversity among admitted applicants, as tests like the ACT and SAT serve as valuable tools for determining potentially successful applicants from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, rural areas, and underserved schools and communities. Ivy League universities such as Dartmouth, Brown, Yale, and Harvard have all reinstated the SAT/ACT for upcoming application cycles, with several universities acknowledging that students from less-advantaged backgrounds were particularly disadvantaged by the test-optional policies.

By providing high-quality test prep resources, SoFlo aims to level the playing field for all students, ensuring that every student has the chance to demonstrate their potential. Over the next few years, we expect many schools to reinstate the SAT/ACT as they recognize the role these tests play in identifying and supporting talented students from diverse backgrounds. By offering accessible test prep, we hope to provide students with the tools to make higher education more accessible and affordable, opening doors to opportunities that might otherwise remain closed.

Partner With SoFlo Tutors

Looking to work with a company with a purpose? We believe that affordable, high quality test prep can make a difference in every student’s education outcomes. All of our tutors attend top universities around the nation and scored in the 99th percentile on their SAT. With students averaging score increases of 150 points after only 10 hours of tutoring, our tutors have a proven track-record and can help your child meet their goal score. They will work to identify and improve your student’s weak areas, as well as help them continue to build off of their strengths. Our tutors schedule sessions to your availability and costs start at $75/hour. 

About The Author

Carolyn Handley is an expert SoFlo tutor who graduated from the University of Texas with a B.S. in Communication Disorders and Texas A&M with an M.Ed. in Bilingual Education. She scored a 36 on her ACT and enjoys hiking and reading.