The district wishes its ACT average score to go from 24 to 25.

Since 2011, the average score ranged between 22 and 24, each year increasing. Last year, in 2014, the average score for Olathe South students was 23.8 and the state was 22. South students have scored above the state of Kansas for the past five years.

“Growth for both [the district and state’s ACT scores] have been slow but steady,” Jessica Dain, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, said.

The reason the district has decided to aim one point higher is to to push the students and prepare them for graduation and the events following.

“It’s good to push the students or bump them up when it is time for graduation,” Candy Birch, assistant principal, said.

Not only does the district hope to prepare all students for graduation, but they also wish to get students “college ready.”

“We don’t want to just help our students get to college, but, instead, get through college,” Dain said

In order for students to pursue the new targeted score, teachers are beginning to challenge them more and include practice tests that look like the ACT.

Additionally, Kansas assessments will begin to mirror the ACT in format.

“The new version of the Kansas assessment and the ACT are beginning to align. We’re teaching the kids in a more rigorous sort of of way, challenging you to think deeper and to defend your argument in different ways,” Phil Clark, principal, said.

Many universities, such as the University of Kansas and the Kansas State University, require at least a 21 on the ACT with an acceptable GPA. With that said, setting a higher goal is supposed to make it easier for students to attend their first choice, or more desired, schools.

The district does understand that it will be difficult for students to achieve a score of 25, but they are remaining optimistic.

Not only does the district hope for a higher ACT score, but they are also trying to get more students to take the ACT.

“Right now the percentage of the students [attending Olathe South] taking the ACT is in the mid 70s. We want it in the 80s,” Clark said.

According to Clark, students who are not taking the ACT often regret it later. He feels that even a student who does not plan to go to college should take the test.