Inside of school, kids are getting the education they need to prepare them for college. But for parents hoping to give their kids a leg up, there are also pre-college programs and college prep after-school programs in Detroit geared at college readiness. Programs range from college prep programs for high school students to other offerings for kids in the lower grades.
Here, we’ve compiled a list of some college prep and tutoring programs in and around Detroit. Some programs are free, while others have fees. Call ahead to check details of the program in which you’re interested.
Brainiac In-Home Tutoring
- Address: Redford-based. Offers in-home and online options.
- Phone: 248-242-7733
- Cost: Contact for details
Test prep courses, homeschooling and in-home one-on-one or small group tutoring sessions are offered through local tutoring company, which has been around since 2006. Online tutoring is available too.
BuildOn Detroit
- Address: Programs held throughout metro Detroit
- Phone: 203-585-5390
- Cost: Contact for details
This nonprofit offers a wide variety of services to the city of Detroit including tutoring and mentoring for kids.
College for Creative Studies Precollege Studies
- Address: Detroit campus (201 E. Kirby St.; 460 W. Baltimore Ave.) and Plymouth PARC (650 Church St., Plymouth)
- Phone: 313-664-7456
- Cost: Vary, call for details
Precollege Studies hosts day summer camps (ages 8-19), overnight, a three-week Precollege College Summer Experience (current high schoolers), year-round workshops, short courses, studios and credit/non-credit options for middle and high school students interested in art and design.
DAPCEP (Detroit Area Prep College Engineering Program)
- Address: 2111 Woodward Ave., Suite 506, Detroit
- Phone: 313-831-3050
- Cost: Application required, call for details. Scholarships available.
Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programming for youth ages 5-18, grades pre-K-12. Programs are on Saturdays during the fall and spring and in camp-format over the summer. Students do hands-on activities in real laboratories, university classrooms and professional environments, meant to prepare them to pursue future careers in STEM.
Detroit World Outreach T-Lab Program
- Address: 1751 Radcliff St., Garden City
- Phone: 888-327-3387 ext. 0
- Cost: $150/assessment, $150-$249/per student per month, based on grade level
Here, students Pre-K-12 can get assistance in reading, writing, math, science, technology, leadership. The program is based on ACT core competencies.
EnACT Your Future, Inc.
- Address: 440 Burroughs St., Detroit
- Phone: 313-769-9499
- Cost: $6/hour; contact for additional details
Services include ACT and SAT prep classes, taught by top-tier educators and test experts. EnACT touts affordable classes. Private ACT/SAT tutoring programs; college and scholarship coaching available too.
Ingenuity College Preparatory Inst.
- Addresses: P.O. Box 32408, Detroit (mailing); programs held throughout metro Detroit
- Phone: 313-454-1077
- Cost: Application required, call for details. Scholarships available.
This program, open to students grades 5 through 12, uses the Ingenuity curriculum, provides academic coaching and positive mentorship.
Mercy Education Project
- Address: 1450 Howard St., Detroit
- Phone: 313-963-5881
- Cost: Free
Hosts after-school tutoring for girls in grades 2-12 for girls who live and/or go to school in Southwest Detroit.
Optiminds
- Address: 29551 Greenfield Road, Suite 112, Southfield
- Phone: 248-496-0150
- Cost: Contact for details
ACT and SAT test preparation is offered to students to assist with time management skills, speed reading, math skills and more.
Sylvan Learning Center
- Address: 2040 Monroe St., Suite 202, Dearborn
- Phone: 313-406-8349
- Cost: Call for details
Aside from its tutoring programs, students can attend a college readiness program to prepare for the ACT or SAT here. Touts flexible hours and small-group instruction.
The Youth Connection, Inc.
- Address: 4777 E. Outer Drive, Suite 1340, Detroit
- Phone: 313-826-7099
- Cost: Free
Here, families with youth, ages 14-21, can find high-quality programs, advocacy and support services, including college and career readiness, with special attention given to under-served youth.
Wellspring
- Address: 16742 Lamphere St., Detroit
- Phone: 313-255-9085
- Cost: Contact for details
At this faith-based, nonprofit youth development organization, Detroit students and those ages 6-24 can join the year-round Academic and Youth Development program, which offers the high-quality Kumon math and reading curriculum as well as comprehensive youth development programming (including in-house, field trip and special adventure recreation, college prep, leadership and team-building workshops for teens).
This guide was originally published in May 2015 and is updated regularly.
