ASMSA graduating class tops 30 ACT for 2nd year

The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts’ Class of 2018 outpaced peers across the state by more than 10 points on the ACT, a national college admissions exam.

The students averaged a 30 composite score as a class, according to a report released Wednesday by the ACT. The accomplishment marks the second consecutive year in which the school’s graduating class has achieved higher than 30 on the national exam. The average for Arkansas students was 19.4, which remained unchanged from the 2017 statewide average.

“We are proud of the Class of 2018 for their commitment to success on the ACT and their growth on the exam during their time at ASMSA,” ASMSA Director Corey Alderdice said. “While the ACT is only a snapshot of students’ critical thinking and quantitative abilities, we recognize the role the exam plays in positioning students for college admission and scholarship opportunities and champion student efforts to improve scores in order to unlock opportunities.”

The ACT is scored on a scale of 1 to 36, with 36 being the highest possible score. Students also receive scores in four individual testing areas, which are com-

bined for the composite score. The individual testing areas are English, mathematics, reading and science.

Bob Gregory, dean of academic affairs at ASMSA, attributed a significant portion of the students’ success on the test to the students’ hometown school districts throughout Arkansas.

“The scores are an indicator that schools around the state are preparing students to be successful as they progress through their school careers. The advanced coursework that students experience at ASMSA creates learners who are able to handle any kind of assessment,” Gregory said.