Introduction to a Milestone Achievement

For the first time in its history, Whitney M. Young Magnet High School had 23 students achieve perfect scores on the ACT.

Reaction from the Principal

“It’s a phenomenal achievement,” Principal Rickey Harris said. “We are just super proud of them.”

The ACT Exam

Last month, the junior class sat down to take the ACT, a standardized test used for college admissions. When the results came in this week — students and faculty received a welcome surprise when they learned that 23 students had gotten perfect scores. That was a first in the school’s 50-year history, Harris said. Students in past years had received perfect scores, but it was a first to have that many students get perfect scores in the same year.

What the ACT Tests

The ACT tests students’ knowledge and skills in English, mathematics, reading, writing and science reasoning. Less than 1% of students who take the ACT nationally get a perfect score of 36.

School’s Culture of High Expectations

“We try to build a culture of high expectations with the hope that those high expectations will result in high academic achievement,” Harris said. Harris said he was proud to be a part of such a milestone, but he was quick to acknowledge that the historic results are the result of collective effort. “This is a great opportunity for our school, representative of our full community,” he said. “The teachers and the hard work that they put in each and every day, the parents and their support, and, of course, the students who do the work.”

Celebration and Recognition

Harris said the school will hold a ceremony Monday morning to celebrate the students’ achievement. The average ACT score in Illinois is 24.5, and the national average is 19.4, according to the ACT.

Conclusion

The achievement of 23 students getting perfect scores on the ACT is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the students, teachers, and parents at Whitney M. Young Magnet High School. This milestone is not only a celebration of individual achievement but also a reflection of the school’s commitment to academic excellence.

FAQs

• Q: How many students achieved perfect scores on the ACT?
  • A: 23 students achieved perfect scores.
• Q: What is the average ACT score in Illinois?
  • A: The average ACT score in Illinois is 24.5.
• Q: What is the national average ACT score?
  • A: The national average ACT score is 19.4.
• Q: When will the school hold a ceremony to celebrate the students’ achievement?
  • A: The school will hold a ceremony Monday morning.