Sure you could “just buy a book,” watch it collect dust, and then get into arguments with your son or daughter over it.
Of course you could enroll them in a in a big-box test prep service and get cookie-cutter approaches and impersonal tutors.
Or you could enroll them in a Wagner Prep program and get:
A personal touch. Mike Wagner leads all classes himself and is available to help you with any questions about the college process along the way, including his monthly check-ins.
An effective tutor. Wagner Prep is a small business, which helps keep quality at a premium. Mike and his small team are professional test prep experts- not college students. You know exactly who you will be dealing with when you enroll in our courses and can ask questions about the college process along the way. Many parents and students come to us when other prep classes didn’t work.
Teaching teenagers is hard. It takes a professional who is relatable, experienced, and interesting.
Ready to see increased SAT/ACT scores for your child? Want a smoother college admissions process? You came to the right place.
Meet the Team
Founder and lead instructor Mike Wagner left his high school teaching job to start an education company designed around holistic education and real, meaningful connections with his students. He teaches classes or is consulting with students every day and prides himself on creating an open and inviting atmosphere.
Mike Wagner
Lead Instructor
With an educational background that includes a Bachelors in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and a Masters in Biostatistics, Marley is skilled in tutoring a range of subjects such as SAT/ACT prep, Algebra, Geometry, and Biology. She is known for her patient and thorough teaching style, always ensuring her students are completely comfortable with the material to help them reach their academic goals. When she's not tutoring, Marley holds a full-time position as a data analyst at the Cancer Institute of NJ. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and attending music events.
Marley Perlstein
Head of Instruction, Math and Science Instructor
Lili is originally from London but has been living in Brooklyn for six years. She has a degree in English Literature from the University of Oxford and has been working for Wagner Prep since 2021. Lili is passionate about teaching and loves sharing her enthusiasm for the English language with her students. She works with students on SAT and ACT test prep, essay writing, literature, and college essay prep. When not tutoring, Lili is a professional writer whose work has been published in The Yale Review, The White Review, and the Times Literary Supplement.
Lili Hamlyn
English Instructor
Dr. Jackaway is a mission-driven educator and former college professor -- with over 20 years of teaching experience -- passionate about the power of teaching to transform lives. After earning a BA in history from Columbia University, and graduate degrees in communication from the University of Pennsylvania, she then joined the faculty at Fordham University, where she served as an Associate Professor Communication and Media Studies. Dedicated to helping secondary school students find their drive and motivation to prepare for the challenges of college, she now offers individual tutoring in the humanities and social sciences.
Gwenyth Jackaway Ph.D.,
English and History Instructor
Mark hails from north of Chicago, but currently works as a Production Engineer for a multinational energy company in Texas. In 2023, he graduated from Purdue University with a Mechanical Engineering degree, having also conducted research for NASA and completed two engineering-related internships during his studies. Mark has been supporting Wagner Prep since 2022, focusing on high school and college level math and science, as well as standardized test preparation.
Mark Kosmerl
Math and Science Instructor
Shatiek Gatlin is currently an MBA Candidate at Columbia Business School. A first-generation college graduate and son of Jamaica, Queens, Shatiek loves sharing his knowledge about business, particularly accounting and finance. He enjoys unlocking a new level of understanding in students, to ensure that they are equipped with the necessary skills and information to be successful - in business or other disciplines. He graduated from Babson College in Massachusetts, and worked in corporate finance for 7 years before pursuing his MBA.
Shatiek J. Gatlin
Business Courses Instructor
Christos is an aerospace engineer and flight instructor with a passion for aviation. After completing his education at Purdue and obtaining his masters in aeronautical and astronautical engineering, he is now an engineer at Garmin. He teaches and mentors students in math, physics, and computer science through the college level. His goal is to empower students by growing their skills through his interactive teaching style.
Christos Levy
Math and Science Instructor
Alex teaches in the writing program at Rutgers University, where he received his PhD in English Literature in 2017 (he also holds an MA in English from Rutgers and a BA from Rice University). His dissertation, on the connections between experimental science and the early British novel, was awarded the prestigious Dan David Prize in Literature by an international committee chaired by novelist Jamaica Kincaid. After graduate school, Alex taught at Ashoka University, an innovative liberal arts school near New Delhi, India. Outside the classroom, Alex has been a private tutor for over a decade, working with students across a range of subjects, with an emphasis on critical reading and writing skills. He has extensive experience helping students with standardized test preparation, including the SSAT, ISEE, ACT, and SAT.
Alex Solomon
English Language and Literature Instructor
Helen is a graduate of Stony Brook University, where she majored in Applied Mathematics and Statistics. She is currently pursuing her master's degree in Cybersecurity at the City College of New York. Helen specializes in tutoring SAT Math, Calculus, Geometry, and Algebra. Known for her patient and flexible teaching style, Helen helps students build a strong foundation in math and develop the confidence needed to tackle challenging problems. Outside of tutoring, Helen enjoys going on runs, traveling, and cooking.
Helen Goro
Math Instructor
Cliff is a graduate of the University of Michigan, where he studied architecture for two years before transferring to and completing his degree in Computer Science. He specializes in tutoring SAT Math, algebra, and geometry, known for his direct and feedback-rich teaching style that helps students build confidence and reach their academic goals.
Cliff's teaching philosophy is simple: 'I believe that anything can be learned with enough practice, and sometimes you just need someone to encourage you and push you in the right direction.'
Currently, Cliff works as a software engineer at a start-up in New York City. Outside of tutoring and programming, he enjoys running and bouldering.
Cliff Chang
Math Instructor
Casey graduated from Binghamton University with a dual degree in History and Political Philosophy and is currently an MPA candidate, expecting to graduate in May 2025. She specializes in SAT/ACT test prep, college essay coaching, and essay writing through the college level, bringing three years of tutoring experience. Known for her motivating and encouraging teaching style, Casey focuses on building students' confidence while helping them master challenging content. Outside of tutoring, she enjoys reading, drawing, and crocheting. This fall, Casey will be starting law school at St. John’s University.
Casey Ward
English Instructor
Lizzy is a graduate of Swarthmore College, where she obtained a bachelors in Neuroscience, and New England Conservatory, where she obtained a masters in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy. She specializes in English and brings 1 year of English tutoring experience, along with over 5 years of music tutoring experience. Known for her patient and motivating teaching style, she helps students master materials through engaging, personally-tailored lessons. Outside of tutoring, Lizzy enjoys singing opera and playing field hockey.
Currently, she is a Doctoral Candidate and Adjunct Faculty member at New York University, studying Musical Theater Vocal Performance and teaching private voice instruction.
Lizzy Stant
English Instructor
Maya, with a background in Government and Psychology from Harvard, has over three years of experience in college consulting and academic tutoring. She specializes in SAT prep, college admissions strategy, and essay development. She is known for her warm, motivating, and results-driven teaching style. Maya helps students build confidence and develop the skills they need to succeed academically and in the admissions process. Outside of tutoring, she enjoys playing squash, baking, and discovering local cafés with friends. Professionally, she conducts research on sustainability and consumer behavior, and plans to apply to law school in the near future.
Maya Madar
College and Extracurricular Development Coach
Sebastian is a graduate of Portland State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Film with Honors. He is also an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma graduate. He specializes in college admissions coaching, drawing on firsthand experience working in a university admissions office and several years of helping students craft strong applications, essays, and testing strategies. With over five years of tutoring and mentoring experience, Sebastian is known for his thoughtful, supportive approach that helps students feel confident and inspired throughout their academic journey.
Sebastian Suarez
International College Coach
Leslie is a graduate of Barnard College of Columbia University with a bachelor's degree in Neuroscience and Behavior, and will be starting medical school this fall in California. She specializes in tutoring a variety of subjects including SAT/AP/MCAT prep, as well as Biology, Chemistry, and essay editing. Her teaching style is adaptive and engaging, with an emphasis on building confidence through personalized test-taking strategies and a comfortable learning environment. Outside of tutoring, Leslie works full-time as a medical assistant at an Ob/Gyn clinic and volunteers as an EMT at marathons. In her free time, she enjoys playing badminton, boxing, and video games.
Leslie Yao
Math Instructor