Arkansas High School Students Attending ACT Academy

Photo credit: Leslie Yingling

Students attending ACT Academy on campus this week.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — More than 100 rising high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors representing 44 high schools from all over Arkansas – and a few from Texas and Missouri as well – are at the University of Arkansas this week for a five-day ACT Academy.

Students in the Academy take intensive ACT training and college readiness workshops that encourage self-advocacy, networking, financial literacy and other matters of college planning. They are also mentored by current U of A student leaders, who work to create a college-like experience.

The program is organized by the College Access Initiative, a program of the Center for Multicultural and Diversity Education in the Office of Diversity and Community. College Access Initiative's goal is to improve ACT testing frequency and performance among Arkansas high school students representing under-served populations and communities. The ultimate goal is to increase college access, readiness and retention.

The program began in 2010 with an inaugural class of 54 scholars and has grown to serve as many as 250 students each summer.

“We are excited to be hosting our sixth ACT Academy,” said Leslie Yingling, director of the Center for Multicultural and Diversity Education. “And we’re proud to be serving growing numbers of promising high school students who are eager to plan for their college futures.”

High school students apply to attend early in the spring semester, submitting a short essay expressing their interest in the program and their hopes for their college futures. First-generation and low-income rising juniors and seniors earn priority consideration.

A second ACT Academy will be held from July 19-24.