The ACT Prep and Tutoring Program at Austin East was developed by the founder of the S.M.A.R.T Institute, Mrs. Laschinski Emerson. The program is currently being led by several University of Tennessee undergraduate students, with 75% of the students attending improving their scores after their previous ACT. The class meets 2 days per week for 1 hour and has already had an impact upon many of the athletes at Austin-East high school.