By Derek Aaron
Times Journal Reporter

Russell County High School ranked better than 146 other high schools in the state with an average  composite ACT score of 18.2, just a tenth under the state average of 18.3, out of a possible 36, for juniors who took the college entrance exam this past spring.
Russell County High School Principal Darren Gossage said he was proud of the way his student's came out in the ACT results, but noted there is still much more to be accomplished.
“We're working everyday in the classroom to grow our student's knowledge,” he said. He said his school was ranked 10th out of 30 high schools in the 4th region, which includes surrounding counties and schools Laker athletics regularly compete against.
RCHS Guidance Counselor Angela Emerson said juniors at the high school are prepped for the college entrance exams year-round.
“Our teachers use practice ACT tests and workbooks in the classroom,” she said. “The teachers use the types of questions that are seen on actual ACT tests.”
Emerson said the school offered after school ACT exam tutoring for any students that wanted to participate as well.
She said students sometimes opt to prepare for such exams on their own after they are exposed to ACT  practice exams in class.
She said she has already began the process of preparing for the fall ACT exam test, which will take place on October 25, at various regional locations, including Lindsey Wilson College.
Students who wish to take the college admission and placement exam must register by September 19 – the deadline for having the registration postmarked.
RCHS placed 86th out of 232 high schools, according to data released earlier this week.
Out of the nearly 43,000 Kentucky juniors who took the test, males had an average score of 18.0 while females had an average of 18.5. White students had an average score of 18.9, compared to 15.6 for black students and 16.4 for Hispanic students.
This is the first year of mandatory ACT testing for juniors attending public schools and improvement is necessary for this county and state if students are to excel in college.
State lawmakers passed the law two years ago that allows juniors to take the ACT for at no cost. The state picks up the fee at more than $1 million annually.
Russell County's average, as well as the state's average, is three points lower than what officials with ACT Inc. think college-ready students should be at, a 21.
Students struggled the most with both math and science portions of the standardized exam, data shows.
This year, 46 percent of the state's juniors met English benchmarks, 33 percent met reading standards, 20 percent met math standards and just 15 percent met science standards.
Late registrations, with an additional fee, will be accepted  for the October 25 test until the final postmark deadline of October 3.
Students can register online at www.actstudent.org, or pick up registration packets from the high school counseling offices, according to Emerson.
The cost is $31 for the traditional ACT and $46 for the ACT Plus Writing. Some colleges require or recommend ACT’s optional Writing Test score, so students should find out the requirements of prospective colleges before registering for the exam, according to ACT Inc.
ACT scores are accepted by all four-year colleges and universities in the United States.
Students, other than first time junior test-takers, in need of financial assistance should visit the school counselor for qualification information and to apply for a fee waiver.