Argyle Set to Host First ACT

Evan Welsh, Senior Writing Editor

Any junior or senior in high school knows the stresses of applying for college. Filling out applications, writing essays, and making sure grades are up to standards are just part of the strenuous process. Perhaps one of the most stressful factors of the application process, however, is taking the ACT and SAT. And with all the stress that comes along with taking test’s like these, waking up early and trying to find the testing location only makes it worse.

This year, students don’t have to worry about that.

Counselors announced at the beginning of this school year that the high school will be hosting its first ACT on the school’s campus.

The test will be administrated, with the writing portion, at the school on Tuesday, Sept. 30 by Assistant Principle Christy Keck during the school day.

“We believe that it’s advantageous for kids because they’re in their own environment and their home environment,” high school guidance counselor Connie Correll said. “Some studies are showing that there’s maybe a few point differences when there’s not as much test anxiety.”

Having the ACT at the school instead of another location provides many benefits for the students partaking in the test. Students won’t have to worry about waking up early and finding their testing location. They will simply arrive to school Tuesday morning with the needed supplies. Another benefit of signing up for the schools’ ACT is that students will not have to go online to the ACT website in order to register for the test. Once they give their payment of $53.50 to Mrs. Lowry in the high school office, the school faculty will sign students up so all they will have to do is come to school ready to test.

The test, which has been mainly organized Assistant Principle Keck, is hoped to be the first of many ACT tests administered at the high school campus in the following years.

“It think that the juniors and seniors, especially those who are trying to raise their score a little more, will be very interested.” said Correll. “I think it’s a great thing we’re doing here.”