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NDCL's Class of 2017 shattered all existing school records in every subject on the ACT, according to score reports compiled from all exams taken by the 160 members of the class.

Our recent graduates posted mean (average) scores of 25.1 in Math, 25.4 in Science, 26.2 in English, and 26.6 in Reading. The ACT reports scores on a scale from 1-36. National averages in all subjects range from 20-21.

The average results of NDCL's top 25% were even more impressive: 30.7 in Math, 30.3 in Science, 32.1 in English, and 32.4 in Reading.

To put NDCL's performance in perspective, Principal Mr. Joseph A. Waler noted that the U.S. Department of Education sets a mean ACT score of 24.3 to identify the top 15% of all high schools in the nation.

"Every single one of our scores now exceeds that significant performance standard," he said.

"Our recent graduates' ACT performance reflects their hard work as well as the professional expertise and persistence of our talented teachers," Mr. Waler explained. "Our teachers have worked zealously to align our curriculum, instruction, and assessment of learning with research-based benchmarks for college readiness. Their collaboration on late-start Mondays, blended learning days, and innumerable after-school meetings has clearly paid off."

Mr. Waler stressed that the report's highest score—Reading—reflects NDCL's concerted efforts to prepare students for the challenges of college-level reading. The school's recently completed improvement plan focused on this important skill.

"The research is clear: Students are more likely to succeed in college when they are able to read sophisticated, complex texts that have multiple layers of meaning," Mr. Waler said.

"By challenging and supporting our students to achieve at higher levels in reading, math, and other academic skills, we are opening up doors of opportunity for them in college, career, and life."