Whitehall ACT scores on the rise

For the second consecutive year, ACT tests scores are up at Whitehall High School.

According to Principal Hannah Nieskens, the scores were better than 2016, which she said was a positive considering last year’s class set a high bar.

“In fact, the 2017 WHS juniors did better than any WHS junior class since the ACT became a mandatory test for all juniors statewide in 2013,” Nieskens said. “This year, the percentage of WHS juniors who achieved the ACT college readiness benchmark score increased on four of five tests - Math, Science, English, and Reading. The Writing subtest score held steady. The college readiness benchmark score indicates that a student has a 50 percent chance or better of earning a B or better on first-year college classes. “

The average composite score in 2017 was 22.8, up from 21.2 last year. The college ready score is 22. In 2017, 58 percent of the students had a score of 22 and up. The college ready number in 2016 was 50 percent.

The average math score was 21.7, up from 19.9 last year. 47 percent had a score of 22 and up. This was up from 31 percent college ready last year.

The average science score was 23.3, up from 22.4 last year. The college ready number for science is 23. 63 percent of Whitehall students had a score of 22 and up, this was up from 46 percent college ready last year.

The average English score was 20.9, up from 19 last year. The college ready number is 18 percent. 74 percent had a score of 18 and up. This was up from 58 percent college ready in 2016.

The average reading score was 24.7, up from 23.1 in 2016. 79 percent of Whitehall students scored at or above the college ready number of 18 and up. In 2016, 58 percent were college ready.

The average writing score was 7.2, up from 6.7 last year. 74 percent had a score of score a college ready score of 7 or above. That was the same percentage as 2016.

“We have work to do in math, but have moved in a positive direction in every subject area. It is exciting to see that WHS ACT scores are improving every year. Our teachers are working hard to ensure that every WHS student has the option to attend and succeed in college should they wish to do so,” Nieskens said.