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October 17, 2012

Central High recognized with College-Readiness Award

Derrick Miller The Duncan Banner

CENTRAL HIGH — On Tuesday, Central High Principal Mark Perry got a nice surprise in the form of the 2012 College Readiness Award.

Only 11 percent of all Oklahoma High Schools receive the award. Central High was one of only 66 high schools throughout the state to receive the honor.

“I got a box and it had a framed certificate in it,” Perry said about receiving the award. “I didn’t have any idea it was coming.”

Central High gave more attention to the ACT starting last year.

During the 2011-12 school year, the high school added an ACT prep class, which helped many of the students in each of the four subject areas.

Perry noted math scores were helped by the prep class.

“We’ve encouraged more kids to take the ACT,” Perry said. “The more kids who go to college, the better off they’ll be.”

Perry said the school’s scores improved from previous years.

He noted specifically that reading scores had improved.

Of the four categories (reading, English, math and science), three of Central High’s scores were above state average, Perry said.

According to a press release from the ACT Southwest Regional Office, the school received the College Readiness Award “for increasing the number of students taking the ACT over the past five years and significantly increasing their level of achievement and college readiness.”

Central High isn’t the only school to increase the number of students taking the test.

In fact, more than 80 percent of graduating Oklahoma high school seniors took the test in 2012.

Perry said the ACT results were caused by a team effort.

He said the school has had counselors who have worked closely with students.

He gave credit to teachers for focusing on student achievement in the classroom and teaching students what is necessary for college-readiness.

“They have done a great job,” he said.

He also recognized the students for putting forth the effort to prepare for the ACT and finding success in their high school studies.

Perry expects students will continue this emerging trend.

“This year, we’re right there with everyone else,” he said.

Although he hasn’t told the students yet, Perry did hang the certificate on the door of the school.

He said no one has noticed yet but realizes it’s only a matter of time.

He did tell Central High Superintendent about the award and is planning to visit classrooms today.

“I’m going to go to the classes and tell the kids,” Perry said.

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