THE ACADEMIC TUTORING LEAGUE
ATL is short for the Academic Tutoring League, but it also draws inspiration from the Nahuatl word "atl", meaning water—a symbol of life, movement, and the power to shape the future. Founded by Frank Gonzalez, a Data Science graduate from the University of Rochester (‘21), ATL was born from more than academic training. It was born from a calling: to take action where policy and politics have fallen short.
Since its inception, many former students have gone on to graduate from the Specialized High School system and are attending college.
Message From Our Founder
" As a Data Science student and researcher, I used my final college political science course to investigate the alarming lack of Hispanic and Black students in New York City's specialized high schools. Despite media attention and political promises, I realized that no policy could replace the power of grassroots education. The real issue wasn’t a lack of intelligence but a lack of access, guidance, and belief. Too few students even knew about the test. Fewer had anyone to coach them through it. So, I stepped forward—not as a politician, but as a tutor, mentor, and community advocate. ATL’s mission is simple but urgent: to prepare underrepresented students for the SHSAT by equipping them with the tools, strategies, and confidence needed to succeed. We’re not just preparing students for a test. We’re changing their trajectory through early and persistent tutoring preparation."
What Is The SHSAT?
The Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) is the key to unlocking a seat at one of New York City’s eight elite public high schools—all of which are completely free to attend. These schools are not just top-ranked in the city—they’re recognized nationwide. According to U.S. News & World Report, they consistently place among the Top 10 high schools in New York and the Top 100 in the United States. Schools like Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, and Brooklyn Tech offer students Ivy League-level academic prep, advanced STEM programs, and access to alumni networks that stretch across industries—all at zero tuition cost. Admission is based entirely on your SHSAT score—not grades, not interviews. The exam consists of mathematical problem solving, logical reasoning, and reading comprehension. With the right preparation, a high score can change a student’s life.Our mission is to make sure more students from underrepresented communities get a chance to enter these schools.