2015 ACT scores set all-time school records

NDCL's Class of 2015 set several school records for performance on the ACT, according to results released this week by ACT, Inc.

Our recent graduates posted the school's highest-ever scores in Reading, Science, Mathematics, and the ACT Composite since 2001, the earliest year for which records are kept.

NDCL students exceeded ACT college readiness benchmark scores in every subject area tested. The benchmarks predict a student's chances of success in first-year college courses.

According to the ACT's research, a student who achieves the benchmark score has about a 50% chance of earning at least a B or about a 75% chance of earning at least a C in an introductory college course.

“Our record-setting ACT achievement reflects our students' commitment to learning, their parents' expectations and support, and our teachers’ expertise and hard work,” commented Principal Mr. Joseph A. Waler.

"Our teachers have put in the time and effort on late-start Mondays, blended learning days, and many after-school meetings to align our curriculum and their day-to-day instruction to enhance our students' college readiness," he explained. "This week's report from the ACT proves that our approach is working."

To help put the scores in perspective, Mr. Waler explained that the U.S. Department of Education sets a school mean (average) ACT score of 24.3 to identify the top 15% of all high schools in the nation.

"Our subject-area scores exceed or come close to that top 15% threshold," Mr. Waler said. "And our composite ACT score—the average of all subject areas—stands at 24.2."

The percentage of NDCL graduates who meet or exceed all four of the ACT college readiness benchmarks has increased by 32% in just the past three years. According to Mr. Waler, that's nearly double the improvement rate of all test-takers in the State of Ohio over the same time period.

"We're clearly on the right track to even greater academic achievement in the months and years ahead," he stressed.