Leading online College Prep programs now used by 60 school districts across the U.S.

SAN MATEO, Calif. - April 25, 2001  Achieva College Prep Programs (www.achieva.com), the leading comprehensive online college prep service for schools, today announced a significant growth in its customer base for the first quarter of 2001. In Q1, Achieva signed partnership agreements with an additional 16 school districts, raising their total number of school districts to 60. Achieva's programs are now available to 30,000 students in more than 200 middle and high schools across the U.S.

"Achieva's extraordinary growth this quarter illustrates that Achieva is supplying the right products and services to a fast growing segment of the marketplace," states Carlos Watson, president and CEO of Achieva. "We are proud to assist students in communities across the United States in their quest to go to college."

As part of a key partnership signed in Q1, Achieva will now serve as the principal partner in the University of Texas, Pan-American (UTPA) GEAR UP program, supplying online college prep services to more than 7,000 seventh graders across 23 middle schools in South Texas. TPA received one of the largest grants in the history of the federally funded GEAR UP program to address challenges in South Texas public schools including low test scores, limited English-speaking ability and poverty. When combined with a lack of awareness of career, college, and financial aid options, these challenges can pose difficult odds for students desiring higher education.

"We are excited that Achieva is our principal partner in the UTPA GEAR Up !Si Se Puede! Project," said Mary Alice Reyes, Project Interim Director. "Achieva's online college prep and study skills programs, combined with strong support from our other business and community partners and the University of Texas Pan American will all serve to provide a boost to the college visions of students across the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas."

Achieva College Prep Programs are web-based and have proven especially helpful in motivating and supporting underserved and low-income students get into college. Students who use Achieva programs see an average of a 100+ point increase in SAT scores and 30% increase in study skills. The Achieva curriculum starts in seventh grade with Study Skills, which teaches students how to incorporate foundational skills such as organizing, prioritizing, test taking and note-taking into their regular coursework. From eighth through twelfth grade, students take Achieva Test Prep Courses appropriate to their grade level (PSAT, ACT, SAT, SAT-II). They also take College Planning 101-401, a series of courses that give students all the information they need to select the right college, secure financial aid, and prepare for this important next stage in their lives.