Achille High School introduces new ACT Prep classes

Achille junior Kylie Manning has set her college and career goals high: she wants to graduate from the University of Oklahoma and go into the medical field.

Achille High School and the SOSU GEAR UP Partnership have joined forces to help Manning and all Achille students achieve their college and career goals, which begin with a good ACT score.

Achille has added two courses of ACT Prep to its curriculum in an effort to raise students’ ACT scores, said Steve Evans, Achille High School principal.

“ACT scores are very important for college-bound kids, and this program is proven to raise scores,” Evans said. Students who use the program regularly see their scores increase by an average of four points, according to ACT.

Manning had access to the program last year, but it was difficult for her to make time outside of school to use it, she said.

“I think it’s really going to help me. Last year, I couldn’t find time to use it very much, but now I know I can work on it an hour everyday,” Manning said.

The SOSU GEAR UP Partnership has provided every student in its cohort group with membership to ACT’s official online study program, ACT Online Prep.

Juniors and seniors in the partnership’s 14 schools can take diagnostic tests and study comprehensive subject area reviews to raise their scores.

SOSU GEAR UP Director Sandy Decker said ACT scores are going to be the partnership’s focus this year.

“Our cohort students are now juniors and seniors, and they need to achieve their maximum ACT score in order to not only be admitted into their colleges of choice, but also win scholarships and financial aid,” Decker said.