Get Smarter Prep Blog

ACT Flex Course vs School Class

Written by Jill Purcell | Jan 7, 2026 8:17:12 PM

If you’re a parent in Leawood, Overland Park, or the Blue Valley area, you’ve probably seen the flyers: “Free ACT Prep – Sign Up Through Your School!” It sounds great on paper. Free. Convenient. Familiar teachers. But once junior year hits and the stakes get real, most families quickly realize that “free” and “convenient” don’t always equal “effective.”

Here’s an honest, side-by-side breakdown of Get Smarter Prep’s ACT Flex Course versus the typical school-sponsored ACT class so you can decide what’s actually best for your student.

Feature School-Sponsored ACT Class Get Smarter Prep ACT Flex Course
Cost Usually free or <$100 Investment of $995 (includes everything)
Class size 25–45+ students Capped at 10 students
Instructors Often an English or math teacher who volunteers Professional tutors who scored 34–36 on an actual ACT
Curriculum Generic, district-approved (often outdated) Custom, continually updated for the current enhanced ACT
Total hours of instruction 15–20 hours spread over months Up to 40+ focused hours over 10 weeks
Scheduling Fixed school calendar (no choice) Multiple weeknight & Saturday options – you pick
Homework Light or nonexistent Targeted weekly practice (but never overwhelming)
Practice tests 1–2 proctored (sometimes on paper) 2-3 proctored ACTs + detailed score reports
Score improvement (average) 1–3 points 3–5 points

 

The Hidden Downsides of “Free” School Classes

  1. Huge class sizes – Your student is one of 35+ students. Individual questions? Forget it.
  2. Teachers aren’t always ACT experts – Many wonderful educators aren’t necessarily ACT Tutors (some probably took it 20+ years ago).
  3. One-size-fits-none pacing – The class moves at the speed of the middle. Fast students get bored, struggling students get left behind.
  4. Zero accountability – Light homework + no consequences = most students don’t practice outside class.
  5. Outdated materials – Some districts are still using outdated material. The ACT has changed and so has our curriculum. 

Why the Flex Course Is Worth the Investment

We designed the ACT Flex Course for busy Johnson County families who want maximum results with minimum life disruption.

  • Only 4 sessions each week (1 hour each) – intense enough to see big gains, short enough that teens don’t burn out.
  • Every tutor scored in the 99th percentile and teaches the ACT daily (this is literally their expertise).
  • Smaller groups mean your student gets personalized attention – we know their name, their weak spots, and their goal score.
  • Up to three proctored practice tests – the single biggest predictor of score increases.
  • Flexible scheduling and unlimited make-ups – band concert conflict? Slick roads? No problem. They just jump into the next Flex session.

Real Results from Local Families

  • Blue Valley North junior: 24 → 32 (+8)
  • Notre Dame de Sion junior: 26 → 33 (+7)
  • Blue Valley West senior: 25 → 31 (+6)
  • Olathe Northwest junior: 18 → 22 (+4)
  • Shawnee Mission East junior: 27→ 32 (+5)

(Names withheld for privacy, but we’re happy to connect you with references!)

The Bottom Line

If your student is aiming for a solid-but-not-competitive score and has tons of self-motivation, the school class might be fine.

But if they’re shooting for scholarships, honors programs, or highly selective schools (think Mizzou Honors, KU Honors, SMU, Vanderbilt, Michigan, etc.), the data is clear: targeted, expert-led prep produces dramatically better outcomes.

Now enrolling for the next ACT test date (Feb 14th, 24th, April 11th, June 13th). Sign up today!
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