The counseling department was recognized by the Texas chapter of the American College Testing Incorporation with their “College Readiness Award.” To qualify for such an award, schools must present “Significantly increased ACT composite scores over the past 5 years, increased or maintaining student participation in the ACT and improving college readiness.”
Mr. Peter Martinez, principal, was first notified three weeks ago. “When we found out, we were excited,” Ms. Azucena Reyes, counselor, said. “We were the only school in NEISD to receive this award. We’re always seeing other schools receive awards, but our kids are just as, or perhaps even more, capable. This is a great opportunity to show what we’ve got,” she said.
The counselors begin test preparations with the freshmen by explaining the different tests (SAT, PSAT, ACT) and hosting a “Parent Night” for underclassmen parents to “build more awareness and college readiness.”
Through these methods, parents involvement in their child’s post-high school careers has increased. They are bombarded with phone calls and questions about college planning.
As for the upperclassmen, the PSAT Blitz courses and AP opportunities is also proving beneficial, as well as the counselors’ increased endorsement of attending on-site college visits.
“Our counselors are going above and beyond their duties by calling, emailing, and inviting colleges to give our students more opportunities. We’re down a counselor, but we’re still doing this for all our kids. I think that says a lot about our counselors,” Mrs. Reyes said.
