KHS juniors have chosen to take the ACT for 55 years. However, after the state of Missouri mandated this year that the test be taken by every junior, the KHS administration decided to put more emphasis on ACT scores in the 2014-15 school year. The required ACT will be held April 28, but before that day arrives, juniors will take a practice ACT Nov. 5.  The practice ACT is required and aims to give students an idea of where they stand before the real test, Dr. Michael Havener, principal, said.

“The practice ACT is important so that we can start thinking about what we need to do to get to where we want to be for the real test,” Carson Keeling, junior, said. “But, since the ACT is already a major test, I think it could stress people out too much.”

In addition to the practice test, teachers are encouraged by KHS administration to incorporate helpful advice about the ACT in the classroom. Although curriculum is not being changed, staff members are attempting to clarify where their lessons overlap with content on the ACT.

“Some students may not have access to advice outside of school on the ACT,” Havener said. “We’re trying to bring in components that will give direction to students unfamiliar to the test.”

Although the ACT is not the only element of the college application process, colleges view it with high importance, as it is a major way for students to be compared nationally, Josh Jaworowski, guidance counselor, said .

“The ACT carries a lot of weight entering into colleges from high school,” Jaworowski said. “It’s always beneficial that students can receive more preparation for the ACT.”

Last year the average composite ACT score at KHS was a 24, three points higher than the national average of 21. Although 24 is a higher average than the majority of high schools, the average scores of students attending competitive colleges are often in the 25 to 30 range, according to The Princeton Review.

“I’m very hopeful that what we’re doing to prepare for the ACT will see a rise in scores this year,” Havener said. “I’m confident that the juniors will feel prepared and ready to do well on the test.”

Although a rise in KHS’s scores are not insured, more measures are being taken to prepare students this year than ever before.

“In a way, the ACT really can’t be avoided anymore,” Abby Peterson, college counselor, said. “I hope that since the test is now required by the state to graduate, more teachers can get on board with integrating ACT prep into their curriculum, and I think that’s a good thing.”