The results on the ACT college entrance exam, announced last week, were revealed to be positive for the area’s schools.
Measuring progress in math, science, English and reading, Pleasant Ridge, Lansing and Immaculata all scored at least one percentage point above the state average composite score of 22 on the ACT, based on a scoring scale of 1 to 36. Leavenworth High School improved on its previous year’s score, exceeded the national average score and tied its own five-year high score.
Immaculata averaged 24.1, an improvement over the 2009 average composite score of 23.7 and the highest overall result of the area schools.
Helen Schwinn, Imac’s principal, said she was happy with the outcome.
“Mainly because that is the best measure of how they compare,” she said. “Every kid nationwide takes the same test.”
Scott Gomer, media relations director for ACT, said average composite scores are based on the most recent test result of the graduating senior class of that year. In other words, if a student takes the test only once, in their junior year, that is the score that is taken and figured in the average score of the senior graduating class.
Schwinn said the ACT score is one of three measuring tools Imac uses to gauge overall achievement. The other two are a specially developed local assessment criteria and the statewide assessment test results.
“Our goals have always been to challenge our students and make them the very best they can be,” said Barbara Ferrara, president of Leavenworth Catholic Schools.
To that end, Schwinn said the school has an after-school ACT preparation class, staffed by teachers who volunteer their time. Schwinn said in the future, the school would like to integrate ACT preparation in its regular curriculum.
The school also has included ACT scoring benchmarks as part of its goal-setting process. The target average composite score at Imac is 25.
Schwinn said the school also aims for high percentages of students taking the test. Out of a graduating class of 30 last year, Schwinn said 95-percent of them took the test and all 30 all had listed some form of higher education in their post-graduation plans.
