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Elmwood Park High School achieves highest ACT performance
Updated: November 19, 2012 2:09PM
ELMWOOD PARK — Elmwood Park High School’s class of 2013 class has achieved the highest ACT test average in the school’s history.
This year’s average ACT score was 21.7, exceeding the state’s average score, which was 20.9. Elmwood Park Principal Jim Jennings said 235 students took the ACT, roughly the same number of students who take the test every year.
Since 2008, ACT scores have climbed each year, except for a decline in 2011. The class of 2013 beat state averages in every subject, including English, math, reading and science.
“We did not do anything different,” Jennings said. “But, we did have more students taking more honors classes.”
To graduate from Elmwood Park High School, students must take four years of English and three years of math, science and history. But the class of 2013, on average, took four years in every subject.
Teachers are also encouraging students to take more rigorous classes. Many students took ACT preparation courses that helped them with test taking strategies.
“Several students received scores in the 30s, with the highest being a 35,” Jennings said.
Those students included Joseph Stocco, Matthew Hilker, Sydney Pesko, John Tito, Enrique Ceppi, Agnieska Kynch, Gabrielle Uvelli, Patrick Zeglinski, Michaline Anglemire, Wesley Calderon, Megan Koeller, William Mercado and Samuel Santos.
To reward the students for their hard work, the class went on a field trip to Great America.
Elmwood Park High School also saw its greatest number of students taking advanced placement classes. In the class of 2013, more than 25 percent of students will take at least one advanced placement class.
Students who score well on advanced placement tests can apply those scores toward college credit.
