Each year, Central Heights provides students with the opportunity to take the Pre-ACT (9th grade), ACT WorkKeys (11th grade), and ACT (11th grade) as state funded assessments.

Below are the tentative dates these assessments are planned for the 24-25 school year:

ACT WorkKeys

October 30th, 2024

Princeton Community Building

ACT WorkKeys and NCRC Fact Sheet

Pre-ACT

November 8th, 2024

Princeton Community Building

ACT

February 25, 2025

Princeton Community Building

Interest and registration for these assessments takes place in August: REGISTER HERE

ACT versus HS GPA: A Change in the College Admissions Landscape

Students need to be aware of the full range of options available for college admission and placement.  The information below gives the ability for each student to make the decision best for their situation.

A Shift Toward “Test-Optional”

Over the last couple of years, many colleges have moved away from requiring a specific ACT (or SAT) exam score for acceptance.  Though they can still use those scores to determine acceptance, they have also introduced a second option: High School GPA.  I will share some regional examples below of how different types of colleges may use scores or GPA, as a frame of reference.

Why Take the ACT?

The ACT may still be a valuable option for many students.  Below are a few reasons to consider:

• It can be an opportunity for an academically prepared student to showcase their abilities in a situation where they feel their GPA does not

• The ACT remains an option for students to gain admission into four year colleges/universities

• The ACT is state-funded for all juniors; this is a great way for students to get a sense of where they stand before entering their senior year, the planned ACT date for CH Juniors is Tuesday, February 25th.

• Some colleges may still award scholarships based on ACT scores

The Argument for GPA

Research shows that HS GPA can be an equal or better predictor of college readiness and success than a single standardized test score.  Using HS GPA gives a broader glimpse of the students performance over time, and may be a better opportunity for students who combat higher levels of test anxiety to showcase their academic ability. 

The Takeaway

Beginning a student’s Freshman year, they have the ability to craft a strong statement regarding their college readiness through their work in the classroom at Central Heights alone.  Although the ACT still provides an opportunity for students to showcase their academic ability for colleges, at no cost their Junior year, students have a greater ability to do so with their HS grades, and should not place undue pressure on themselves over a single ACT performance.

Students registering for ACT outside of Central Heights administration:

Register for the test at www.actstudent.org

CHHS High School Code # is 172-573