Although junior Tati Yepes has taken an ACT class in the past, she said it did not prepare her well and was expensive.

“I’ve personally taken an ACT prep class, and it was very expensive,” Yepes said. “The class I took was very fast-paced and hard to take notes in.”

This year, however, the counseling office is offering free, individualized ACT prep classes after school once a week starting Nov. 14.Junior counselor Laura King said she wants students to be well prepared for taking the test.

“The goal is to increase the familiarity with what the ACT questions are going to look like,” King said. “The ACT is such a high-stakes test, and we’re offering a free service.”

Career and technical education director Kara Mueller said the offer of ACT preparatory classes is funded by a federal grant, known as the Perkins Grant. This grant aims to leave students more prepared for tests they need to take to apply to colleges.

“The Perkins grant is to support all students for college and career readiness,” Mueller said. “We have received an extra tool for ACT prep, which is a class to take practice tests.”

According to Mueller, classes will be student-driven and individualized on computer programs.

“You can go at your own pace. The organization will create lessons based off your weaknesses to help you prepare,” she said.

Yepes said she believes the classes will be helpful for students who want to take the ACT.

“I think (the new classes) are extremely helpful,” Yepes said. “It would be helpful for those who want to take the test but don’t come from a financially stable home.”

However, King said she thinks the educational process will be different for students to prepare for taking the college entrance exam.
Instead of learning from a teacher, students will follow directions from instructional computer programs, according to King. This is a change from the traditional structure of an ACT class.

“Students aren’t necessarily going to get the same one-on-one instructional time,” King said. “Our goal is to provide a venue and accessibility to all students free of charge, and provide computers and transportation.”

Junior Jordan Gemilere said he is interested in taking the classes to prepare for the ACT.

“I would take the classes because my family wants to save money, and I want to increase my chances of getting into a good college,” he said.

Classes will be offered every Thursday after school from 3:15 to 5:15 in B225. Interested students can talk to their counselor or Mueller in B220 to enroll in the preparatory classes.