Dear Parents and Members of the Class of 2022:
It is hard to believe that our Class of 2022 is close to completing junior year and ready to move to their senior year in high school. Soon you will be receiving information about your student’s senior year and all that goes along with that exciting and busy time. We want to take a moment to share with you how important the second semester of your student’s junior is to their future.
The capstone event of every juniors’ academic year is on our horizon … the SAT! We are diligently working to prepare your junior for the SAT test on Tuesday, April 13th. The SAT test is a standardized test given across the United States to test each student’s academic progress and indicate their college and career readiness. Most colleges use this score to determine college entrance as well as many scholarship opportunities. In the state of Illinois this assessment is also used to provide feedback on our instruction and effectiveness in the classroom. Bottom line, the Illinois State Board of Education uses this test to rate ALAH HS.
Although this year has certainly been different with all of our COVID restrictions and guidelines, the test is still a state graduation requirement. Colleges and universities have not uniformly made a decision about entrance requirements for the Class of 2022.
The SAT is divided into two categories, Evidence Based Reading & Writing and Math. Science and social studies are embedded in these two categories. There is also a separate essay. ALAH will use these test results to guide our instructional planning and decisions. This test is the most important assessment your student will have taken up to this point in their academic career, as it reflects their knowledge and our effectiveness as educators.
- Our faculty and staff have worked from the moment your student entered as a freshman to help prepare him/her for April 13th. Of course it becomes more and more important as we approach the testing date. Last year we were able to add an SAT prep class to our schedule to help students prepare. Although this had been built into the schedule, the shortened school day prohibited us from being able to offer it as originally planned. Our SAT team has developed a new plan to be implemented next week. We are asking that you encourage your junior to take advantage of this opportunity.
- Juniors will miss PE on Thursdays to participate in SAT lessons taught by our English and math teachers.
- Every Monday, beginning February 1st, we need Juniors to stay after school for an hour and take practice tests. We use these practice tests to determine what to teach in the SAT prep class. We also know that students perform better on the SAT by practicing these tests. We will provide transportation for anyone that needs a ride home after the test.
- At the end of February or early March, we will give all juniors the SAT practice test during the school day.
- We have purchased a school license for every junior to have access to the Jason Franklin SAT prep course. If you aren’t familiar with Mr. Franklin’s work, check out https://betterprepsuccess.com/. Your student’s log information is below.
- Go to https://betterprepsuccess.com/online-sat-prep-class/student-registration
- Enter student information using your student’s school email address.
- Enter school license code: A4ANP8N70BSORO1JKHM6QQ
- Each registered student will have access to the online video class until August 28th of 2021. This is their personal account which tracks their completion progress and allows them to go as fast or as slow as they desire. They can also review sessions as much as they desire during the membership period. They can do the class anywhere they have internet access.
- Your student also has access to the Khan Academy program that is individually designed to prepare your student for the SAT. This course helps your student improve skills based on their current tests. The College Board believes that students that spend 20 hours in this practice will raise their score by 115 points.
- Students that spend 20 hours or more in their Kahn Academy will be entered in a drawing with multiple prizes. (More than 20 hours = more entries.)
- Students who give 100% effort the day of the test will be released at the end of the assessment. (Usually around 1 pm).
- Students that meet or pass the state average will not have to take finals in December of their senior year. (Students must also have a C average in the class and no more than six (6) absences to waive the final.) The state average in 2018 was 1010, in 2019 the average was 1000 and in 2020 was 1018.
- Students that earn a 1230 or higher will earn a reserved parking place in the parking lot for senior year.
We are asking for your help to encourage your student to give the upcoming weeks in school their full attention, to spend extra time preparing for the SAT, and to get your student to school. The SAT impacts our faculty, our school and will open up doors for your student’s future. The Class of 2021 set a school record earning an average of 1013 and we cannot wait to see what the Class of 2022 can do. If you have any questions, please contact myself or our guidance counselors at the high school.
We only have 11 weeks until the SAT, April 13th. Now is the time!