Last week, Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District administrative staff hosted the annual Starkville High School ACT 25/30+ Club Luncheon, celebrating students who earned a composite score of 25 or better on the ACT college entrance exam during the 2024-2025 school year. Fifty-two students were honored for scoring at least 25 this year. Twenty-nine students were inducted for earning a score of 30 or better, placing them in the 93rd percentile of students taking the exam nationally each year.
“We are excited to welcome you to today’s luncheon for the SHS 25+ and 30+ Club,” Watress Harris, Starkville High principal, said in opening the event. “This accomplishment is something you all should be very proud of, and it puts you among the top of your peers as you prepare for college. We are pleased to honor you today.”
Deemed a “high performing” school district, SOCSD earned an overall A-rating from the Mississippi Department of Education in 2024, and student scores on the ACT exam play a small part each year in how the accountability ratings are determined. On average, more than 60% of Starkville High graduates go on to attend community college or a four-year university after high school, and the district provides a robust collection of advanced academic offerings to jumpstart a student’s college coursework.
Starkville High offers more than 50 dual credit/dual enrollment courses available to 11th and 12th graders. From general core classes like English composition, biology and college algebra to electives like Spanish, music appreciation and various CTE options, students can build a community college associate’s degree while still in high school. The SHS Class of 2025 includes four students who earned dual diplomas at East Mississippi Community College and Starkville High School.
A variety of Advanced Placement course offerings provide students with an additional way to earn college credit while in high school based on passage of the national AP exams. In addition, partnerships with Mississippi State University like the Early Honors Academy and BasePair research program give students the opportunity to interact with professors and experience college courses and research projects.
Taking advantage of these advanced course options beginning in 11th grade requires students to earn the same ACT scores for admission that all other college students must earn. Regardless of whether a student decides to pursue college academic credits while still in high school, most post-secondary options require minimum ACT scores for entrance. Because of this, SOCSD has committed to helping Yellow Jacket students achieve their best on the national exam.
SHS administers the ACT to 10th and 11th graders twice each year at no cost to families, and the test is given during the regular school day, enabling more students to have the opportunity to take the test and improve their scores. In addition, SHS offers ACT test preparation coursework and resources as well as bootcamps to ensure students have the tools needed to achieve their best.
Superintendent Tony McGee said this strategic approach aims to level the playing field for students who may not otherwise have the resources to take the test multiple times. And, beyond that, he says celebrating those who excel on this national benchmark of college readiness is part of enhancing the district’s culture of excellence.
“It’s a tremendous accomplishment for students to score (higher than a 25 or 30) on the ACT,” he said. “It’s worthy of celebration as our district continues to provide students with opportunities for advanced studies.”
Beyond that, he says the bottom line is that ACT scores at that level represent real college scholarship money for students.
“For many of our families, it can be a game changer in being able to go to college,” he said. “We want to provide the resources to help them succeed. And when they do, we’re here to celebrate together.”
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 29 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 29 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
