Personalized Support for the Entire College Admissions Process
Families come to Wagner Prep because the path to college is overwhelming. There are deadlines, shifting requirements, big decisions, and constant pressure. It is a lot for any teenager. It is a lot for any parent.
Wagner Prep gives families a clearer path and a trusted partner.
We offer expert SAT and ACT prep, academic support, and college guidance that is organized, thoughtful, and steady. Everything we do is tailored to the student in front of us.
OUR STORY
How Wagner Prep became a trusted partner for families and schools
Wagner Prep grew from a simple idea: students thrive when learning is personal, steady, and rooted in genuine connection.
Founder Mike Wagner began his career as a high school history teacher. He loved his students, and he also saw how much pressure they carried and how little individualized support they received. When he set out to build his own approach, he wanted it to focus on thoughtful guidance, calm structure, and a deep understanding of how students think.
What began as a small, relationship-driven tutoring practice is now a team of experienced educators who support students through subjects, SAT and ACT prep, and the entire college planning process. Wagner Prep also partners with public schools across New York City to offer personalized, live student-centered instruction to classrooms that would otherwise lack access.
Our approach has never changed. We focus on personal attention, trusted partnership, and student-first service. Whether a student is preparing for their first official test or refining applications for selective colleges, we meet them where they are and build a thoughtful plan around their strengths.
Families return to us year after year because we combine exceptional instruction with genuine care. That is the foundation of Wagner Prep and the heart of everything we do.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
Student-First Service
We go the extra mile, always putting the student’s learning and experience first to help them achieve their goals; there’s no rigid playbook.
Connection and Excellence
We build genuine relationships with students and families by showing up prepared and holding ourselves and our students accountable.
Proactive and Effective Communication
We communicate openly, do what we say we’ll do, anticipate challenges, and own our outcomes.
What Makes Wagner Prep Different
Wagner Prep is not a big-box test prep company.
We are a small team of professional educators who believe tutoring should feel personal, organized, and steady.
Families trust us because we offer:
Personalized tutoring
We use a structured curriculum, and instruction is always tailored to the student in front of us. Tutors adjust pacing, strategy, and focus based on each student’s goals, learning style, and progress. The plan is built intentionally around the individual.
Exceptional tutors who collaborate as a team
Our tutors are experienced educators who work closely with our Head of Instruction, Marley, to design strategic, individualized plans. Your child is supported by both their tutor and our full instructional team.
A calm, steady process that reduces stress
Parents often tell us they finally feel less overwhelmed once they begin working with us. We guide students step by step, create structure they can rely on, and help them stay focused without adding pressure.
A relationship-first model that builds confidence
We take the time to understand how students think. Tutors check in genuinely, pay attention to what motivates each student, and build trust that leads to stronger academic growth. When students feel understood, they thrive.
A track record of meaningful progress and trusted partnerships
Wagner Prep supports students across the U.S. and internationally, and we also partner with New York City schools and nonprofits to provide student-centered test prep. Families return to us because they see real improvement and feel supported every step of the way.
Who We Support
Students Who Deserve Thoughtful, Personalized Guidance
Wagner Prep supports motivated, education-focused families who want more than a test score. Our work is rooted in New York City and continues to grow across the United States and abroad.
We help students who benefit from a personal, steady approach, including those who are aiming for top scores, managing demanding schedules, or simply looking for consistent support from someone who understands them.
Our team has experience supporting:
high-performing students preparing for competitive colleges
students with ADHD, Dyslexia, and learning differences
multi-sport athletes balancing full calendars
students navigating shared decision-making across households
students who need a steady, encouraging partner in their corner
Our role is to make the process manageable rather than overwhelming. No matter where a student begins, we meet them there, build on their strengths, and help them make consistent progress. Our mission is to support students as whole people and give them the tools to thrive in school and beyond.
OUR COMMITMENT & GUARANTEE
Professional instruction. Transparent communication. Real support.
We are professional tutors who stay current on every SAT and ACT change and who have supported hundreds of students with a wide range of needs and goals. We are committed to thoughtful instruction, honest recommendations, and helping your student earn their highest score possible.
Our Good Fit Guarantee
If at any point during the first month you feel Wagner Prep is not the right fit, we will refund all hours used. We have never needed to use this guarantee, but families appreciate knowing it is there.