Columbian High School has newly revised its ACT Prep program, titled "ACTuate" for 2013.
A pilot preparation program for the American College Test, a college entry exam, was run on Saturdays in the spring of 2012. This program saw much success for students who participated, said Paula Zirm, gifted education supervisor for Tiffin City Schools.
"ACT prep is new to us this year," Scott Urban, TCS director of instruction and personnel, said.
"We ultimately want students to have the opportunities and options to improve their scores so that they have a better shot at college," Urban said.
A daughter of a Tiffin City Schools employee took the English review last spring. Her English score went from a 25 to a 34 as a result of the prep program. This, in addition, raised her composite score to a 29. She took the test one more time and got her composite score to a 30. Later, the family realized that with the composite score and maintaining her GPA at a 4.0, there were several schools that would offer her a full ride.
"This program is important to publicize to parents. Students do better as a result of the program," Zirm said.
Fact Box
Program schedule
Winter dates for test and class times:
6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, practice test
6-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31, math review
6-8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4, English review
6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, reading and writing review
6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, science review
ACT to be taken at Columbian High School, Saturday, Feb. 9.
Spring dates for test and class times:
6-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, practice rest
6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 4, math review
6-8 p.m. Monday, April 8, English review
6-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, reading and writing review
6-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, science review
ACT to be taken at Columbian High School, Saturday, April 13.
Participation in the Saturday program was low. "So this year we have heeded student and parent advice by condensing the program to just over a week of evening classes," Zirm said.
The charge for students to attend classes is $10 for each day of prep or $30 if students sign up for every day. Sign-ups begin Jan. 7 and payment is to be taken at Columbian's office.
The program is also allowing students to take the ACT at Columbian. The first ACT to take place at Columbian was Oct. 27. Students who took the test that day remarked that they were much more comfortable testing in their own high school.
"Students get to take the test and review with familiar faces," Zirm said.
Columbian teachers will be issuing the test and the prep classes with the help of the text book The Real ACT Prep Guide, third edition.
"We have a great staff and retired staff at Columbian," principal Mark Verroco said.
Those teachers who will be teaching the prep classes and issuing the tests include Betty Kizer, Rob Hawk, Chris Monsour, Todd Edmond, Lindsay Sandor and Paula Pauly.
"We want to give our students a good environment that they are comfortable with," Verooco said. "We know our kids best. We know their strengths and weaknesses."
Students do well because Columbian has good teachers, Verroco said. "Parents are very appreciative of the program. They do not have to travel and the students know where to go."
"I believe that test scores will go up," Verroco said. "This program is about relationship building and puts the minds of students at ease. We want to do whatever we can to help our kids."
Students that want to register to take the ACT can register online at www.actstudent.org.
