23 Years of Business | College Planning Help

In honor of our birthday, we’re celebrating over two decades of empowering students, serving families and inspiring greatness—the Class 101 way. Here’s a look at the milestones, the people and the accomplishments that have made the journey so worthwhile.

1. 23 years of outstanding leadership 

Today we’re throwing it back to the nineties—August 27, 1997 to be exact. On this day, Class 101 President Tom Pabin set out to make a difference by helping one student in one community find—and afford—the right college. Having devoted nearly half of his life to helping students find their best future, Tom’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that faith and family come first. We’re now a nationwide college planning franchise, helping families across the U.S. make college dreams a reality.

2. 13 years of franchising success

After hitting the 1,000-student milestone, Class 101 began offering franchise opportunities in 2007, with our first official franchise office opening in Columbus, Ohio the following year. Every year since then, our total number of franchises has continued to grow.  In 2020, we were named to the 2020 Entrepreneur Top 500 Franchise list—one of many great honors we’ve achieved.

3. 47 epic franchisees (and counting!)

Our Class 101 family is spread far and wide, with many of our original franchisees still with us today—and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Our franchise owners are the glue that holds us together, with every individual playing a vital role in our success. Today, Class 101 is proud to have 47 locations across 23 states, with the goal of reaching 100 franchise offices over the next few years.

4. 200 National Merit Finalists  

Receiving National Merit recognition is an outstanding achievement for any high schooler, shining a light on the hard work and academic excellence of students nationwide. We’ve helped over 200 students earn National Merit status—and we’re just getting started.

5. 15,000 ACT/SAT prep tests administered

We know that test prep matters. That’s why we’ve spent more than 20 years working closely with students to develop testing strategies that improve scores and maximize readiness. Working with a college planner to prep for the ACT/SAT not only means higher test scores—it means more scholarship opportunities, a stronger competitive edge and the confidence students need to crush their college goals.

6. 17,000 college applications completed

The college application process can be one of the most stressful times of high school, but it doesn’t have to be. From developing college lists to managing deadlines, we’ve helped thousands of students stay organized and motivated while completing their applications on time—or even ahead of schedule. Our advice for college visits: visit 10 schools, apply to 7 and love 5. This ensures our students are making smart and manageable application choices for their future.

7. 6,500 students accepted into over 550 universities and colleges worldwide

The most exciting part of the last 23 years? That’s easy. It’s seeing our Class 101 graduates get into college and find their future. Every one of our students has goals, ambitions and a path that’s uniquely their own. Knowing we’ve played even a small role in helping them realize their potential is the greatest gift of all.

Ready for your student to start planning for college today? Learn more about our services and find a location near you at www.class101.com. Or email [email protected] for more information.