Maclay School
Prep Smarter. Score Higher.
Our rigorous college preparatory curriculum, built-in SAT/ACT test preparation, dedicated college counselors, and on-site testing opportunities work together to give every Marauder a distinct and meaningful advantage in the college admissions process.
Strong scores can open doors, which is why intentional, structured test preparation is built directly into the Upper School experience
While a strong GPA and meaningful extracurricular involvement remain important, SAT and ACT scores continue to play a significant role in the college admissions process, influencing scholarship eligibility, honors program consideration, and overall competitiveness at many colleges and universities.
A 9-Week Class
The Prep Class is built directly into the Upper School experience as a required 9-week course, ensuring every student receives dedicated, structured test preparation during the school day. This intentional approach means no student is left to navigate the process alone, giving every Marauder the tools, strategies, and confidence they need to perform their very best on exam day.
S3 Summer Test Prep
Led by Maclay's amazing faculty, S3 is an intensive summer test prep program open to all Big Bend area students. The three-week and one-week sessions are offered through Maclay Camps several times during the summer and are a proven success.
2025-26 Test Prep Course Highlights
- Students gain an average of +125 points — more than triple the College Board's natural-retake benchmark of +40 points.
- 94% of students improved their scores, with zero declining.
- Maclay students outperform every published College Board prep benchmark, including 20 hours of Khan Academy practice.
- Students who tested 3 or more times gained nearly 2x those who sat only once.
- Juniors gained an average of +139 points, giving them maximum runway to retest and improve as they take their final tests as seniors.
- The Class of 2026 unlocked $225,000 in additional Bright Futures funds over four years.