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Fairhope 10th Graders Score High on ACT

417 views · Published 19 February 2015 · 2:22 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: NBC 15 · 2015 · News & Politics

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FAIRHOPE, Ala. (WPMI) We learned in early January Alabama's 10th graders had scored poorly on math and science tests that measured readiness for college. Only 17 percent of those 10th graders met or exceeded met or exceeded standards in math on the ACT Plan test.

Now we've got a closer look at the numbers and it turns out that sophomores at Fairhope High School are some of the highest performing on the test.

"This is just simply a measure of what you need to improve on," said Principal Jon Cardwell.

Turns out Fairhope High School is in the top 10 highest scoring levels statewide in math, science and english. The school is the only public school in our area on the high scoring list.

Cardwell says the highest ranking schools are mostly in very wealthy districts.

"One thing you need to look at those schools and what kind of funding those schools posses. They have five time the funding we do and we are up there right there with them. It just shows what a quality education students in Baldwin County are receiving when they come here. It could be Fairhope, Daphne, Robertsdale, Foley," said Cardwell

English teacher Anna Hardy says Fairhope does its best to involve students, parents and teachers with standardized testing starting in elementary school.

"Because we do mock lessons with them in the lower grades and we also take time to talk to parents and tell them what to expect. So it's not a secret, it's not a surprise. We try to be very open with what they are walking into," said Hardy

Also a commitment by the community to fund the local enrichment foundation has helped. Over the last 19 years it's paid to create math and science programs, programs Fairhope kids have grown up with. Even today the foundation is keeping up the momentum.

"Like a hands on science lab at J. Larry Newton School and at Fairhope Intermediate school. Here in the high school we fund music and theater programs which of course toward the creativity you need to be great scientist of mathematician," said Cori Yonge with the Fairhope Educational Enrichment Foundation.

In Baldwin County the school system has now created a "college and career ready standards team," made up of teachers from across the district. They hold workshops with other teachers to better prepare kids for college.

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