By Dr. Sarah Thaler, Khan Academy Districts
As the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) enters its 7th year partnering with Khan Academy Districts, district leaders are doubling down on a strategy to increase student engagement and SAT performance: the “You Khan Do It” Challenge. Over this five-week challenge, 11th graders in the district leveled up 15,907 skills to proficient in the SAT Prep courses prior to their SAT School Day administration.
Not only does the top school earn the bragging rights for the district’s traveling trophy, the top performing students in each SAT course get awarded with prizes. I have the privilege of serving as the district’s strategic success manager, so I sat down with DPSCD Executive Director of Mathematics, Tony Hawk, to learn how an academic competition has sparked meaningful momentum, and what’s next for Detroit students.
Sarah Thaler: What inspired the launch of the “You Khan Do It” Challenge?
Tony Hawk: We wanted to go beyond traditional SAT prep. A straightforward approach works, sure, but when you turn it into a competition—something students can rally around—it gets exciting. Many of our schools are already highly competitive. The challenge format tapped into that energy. It gave students a reason to lean in and push themselves. It wasn’t just about test prep anymore; it became about pride and performance.
Sarah: What role did teachers and administrators play in making it successful?
Tony: Their role was essential. Teachers were the gatekeepers—they made this real for students. And let’s be honest: time is always a constraint. But when teachers believe in something, they find a way to integrate it. They encouraged students, carved out time during tutoring, even during lunch or after school. Their buy-in was the reason this worked.
Sarah: Were there any schools that stood out in how they implemented the challenge?
Tony: Definitely. One that comes to mind is the Detroit International Academy for Young Women (DIA), led by Principal Ashley Monteleone. She and her team were relentless. They tracked progress, sent out updates, and found creative ways to build the challenge into the school day—before-school tutoring, lunch-and-learn sessions, even adjusted homework plans. They didn’t win, but the progress they made was undeniable. And their K–8 students were using Khan Academy, too. That consistency matters.
Sarah: What are the district’s future plans for SAT prep?
Tony: We want to move beyond short-term bursts. The vision now is year-round engagement. If we can make the challenge a recurring event—with trophies, recognition, and bragging rights—we believe it’ll become part of the culture. I’ll never forget picking up the traveling trophy from Frederick Douglass Academy. A student handed it to me and said, “We’re coming back for this.” That’s exactly the energy we want.
Sarah: Any standout student stories from the challenge?
Tony: I can’t name names, but we’ve identified the top five students in both math and literacy. We’re recognizing them with high-quality wireless earbuds and in-person celebrations. It’s a small gesture, but it sends a powerful message: hard work gets noticed. Public recognition matters.
Sarah: Any final thoughts?
Tony: As a leader, you never know if an idea is going to stick. But when you see teachers, students, entire schools embracing it, that’s incredibly validating. Our work with Khan Academy isn’t perfect, but it’s real. It’s growing. And most importantly, it’s helping students move toward mastery. That’s the goal—and we’re not slowing down.
Final Thoughts
Detroit Public Schools is partnered with Khan Academy Districts to drive greater impact at scale.
👉 Get in touch to talk about strategic implementation of SAT Prep in your district.
