Meet Global Impact Award Finalist Top Tutors for Us, a startup that connects Black students with tutors who look like them in order to help students build academic skills and improve their college admissions test scores. Founder Angelica Harris (BU ’21, EN ’21, SI ’22) developed her own ACT prep program after traditional tutoring programs didn’t work for her. She was able to raise her score from a 16 to a 32, which helped her secure scholarships and gain acceptance to WashU. When family friends began reaching out for tutoring help, Harris realized she was onto something and began developing Top Tutors for Us. She won funding through the Skandalaris Venture Competition in 2022 and 2023 and participated in the Skandalaris Summer Launchpad program before being selected for the 2023 Arch Grants cohort.
Keep reading below to learn more about Angelica’s journey, founding Top Tutors for Us, and how the company is helping Black students across the country improve their test scores and get into their dream schools.
Angelica, can you walk us through the origin story of your venture and what drew you to found/join it?
I founded Top Tutors for Us after struggling with traditional test prep programs that didn’t help me improve my ACT score. I built my own study system, saw real results, and realized many Black students faced the same challenges—lack of access to personalized, culturally relevant test prep. Top Tutors for Us solves this by matching students with tutors of similar backgrounds and using data-driven strategies to fill skill gaps. This mission is personal—I want historically marginalized students to see themselves as competitive college applicants and have the support they need to succeed.
What critical problem is Top Tutors solving, and why is this solution needed now?
Top Tutors for Us addresses the lack of equitable, culturally relevant test prep for Black students in predominantly Black public schools. Traditional programs fail to meet their needs, leading to lower SAT/ACT scores and fewer college opportunities. Top Tutors for Us solves this by matching students with tutors of similar backgrounds, offering personalized, data-driven test prep that builds both skills and confidence. With the push for educational equity growing, our solution is needed now to help close achievement gaps and ensure more Black students become competitive college applicants.
How has the company validated and refined its solution based on market feedback?
Top Tutors for Us has refined its solution through direct feedback from students, parents, and schools. Piloting our program revealed the need for more personalized, culturally relevant support, leading us to enhance tutor matching and AI-driven curriculum recommendations. Performance data confirms score improvements, and strong interest from school leaders validates demand. We’ve partnered with large districts like East Baton Rouge Parish Schools and St. Louis Public Schools, and the Louisiana Board of Education has approved op Tutors for Us as a vendor, further solidifying our impact and credibility.
Where do you see Top Tutors for Us making its biggest impact in the next five years?
In the next five years, Top Tutors for Us aims to significantly close the test score gap for Black students by expanding into more school districts nationwide. We plan to scale our AI-driven, culturally relevant test prep platform to serve thousands of students, ensuring they have the tools to become competitive college applicants. By strengthening partnerships with school districts and education agencies, we’ll drive systemic change in how test prep is delivered. Ultimately, our biggest impact will be increasing college admissions and scholarship opportunities for students, transforming their academic and career trajectories.
How would the Global Impact Award help accelerate the company’s growth?
The Global Impact Award would accelerate Top Tutors for Us by providing the resources to scale our AI-driven, culturally relevant test prep platform to more school districts nationwide. With funding and mentorship, we could enhance our technology, expand our tutor network, and increase our reach to thousands more students who lack equitable access to high-quality test prep. This support would also help us strengthen district partnerships, refine our impact measurement, and position Top Tutors for Us as a national leader in closing the test score gap for underrepresented students.
What is one piece of advice you would give to a future founder coming out of WashU?
Build genuine relationships and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Skandalaris has a strong network of alumni, mentors, and resources—tap into them early and often. Your idea will evolve, and the best insights often come from conversations with people who’ve been in your shoes. Stay persistent, embrace feedback, and keep pushing forward even when the path isn’t clear.
Learn more at toptutorsforus.com.
The Global Impact Award (GIA) is made possible by Washington University alumnus Suren G. Dutia and his wife, Jas K. Grewal. The goal of the award is to invest in individuals and high-growth entrepreneurial ventures associated with WashU that have a broad impact and exhibit an interdisciplinary approach to entrepreneurship.
The winner of the 2025 Global Impact Award will be announced at the WashU Innovation & Entrepreneurship Awards on Thursday, April 17. All are invited to attend the awards ceremony to see which team(s) will win up to $75,000 in non-dilutive funding for their venture.