Arkansas High School Students Attend Second Summer ACT Academy

Photo Submitted

High school students getting intensive preparation to take the ACT test

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - More than 130 rising high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors representing 66 high schools are at the University of Arkansas finishing up a five-day ACT Academy, the second session held this summer. This is the largest group of students to attend the program since it was started in 2010. 

Students in the Academy attend 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 share their experiences transitioning to college and persisting toward graduation. They assist in the ACT classroom and engage with participants throughout the week to create a fun college-like experience.

“We are excited that in our sixth year we are hosting our tenth and largest-ever ACT Academy,” said Leslie Yingling, director of the Center for Multicultural and Diversity Education. “We are happy to provide growing numbers of promising and diverse high school students a special opportunity to experience the University of Arkansas, and we look forward to seeing them back in their schools and home communities throughout the next academic year.”

College Access Initiative outreach staff continue to engage with students through additional workshops and college counseling after the ACT Academy, with many summer program alumni ultimately making the U of A their college of choice.

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. The College Access Initiative's goal is to improve ACT testing frequency and performance among Arkansas high school students representing under-served populations and communities and to grow and diversify Arkansas’ college-going rate. The ultimate goal is to increase students’ college access, readiness and retention. The program began in 2010 with an inaugural class of 54 students and has grown to serve as many as 250 students each summer.

High school students apply to attend the ACT Academy 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. More than 100 high school students attended an earlier session in June.