The second year for the Greater Achievement Youth Empowerment Academy is currently underway at LaGrange College.

The 6-week program helps local students prepare for the SAT and ACT tests for a minimal fee. Students only pay $35 for testing supplies.

Volunteers from the community and LaGrange College help the students prepare and improve their test scores.

The 501c3 group holds the 6-week program on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the campus of LaGrange College in Turner Hall. It is currently in its 3rd week.

Dr. Glenn Dowell says he is grateful for LaGrange Police Chief Lou Dekmar for helping kick start the program.

In its first year Dowell says he was shocked by the results.

“It’s almost impossible to do, but we did it,” Dowell says. “We surprised ourselves.”

Everyone who took the SAT made over 1000.

“Students are getting here before we are,” Dowell said.  “We were very excited. We are preparing for our kids to have a great future.”