The four students scored at or above the 95th percentile on the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR), which qualified them for the Duke Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP). After qualifying for the program, the students registered to take the ACT.
“The tests were definitely challenging,” Anaya Rhodes explained. “Some of the science concepts were not familiar to me, but it was still a great experience.”
Two of the students scored a 19 and the other two scored a 20, a score that would guarantee them acceptance to the University of North Texas as long as they graduate in the top 15% of their class. Nationally, the average ACT score among high school students is a 21.
“My goal for these students is to continue to make huge strides academically, and to know that their educational future is limitless,” Gifted and Talented Director Bronwyn Vaughan said.
The students already have big plans for their future. Abigail wants to attend the University of Texas to study psychiatry. Cash plans to attend Carnegie Mellon to study computer science. Anaya wants to attend Duke University to study pediatric science; and Kashala plans to attend the University of California, Los Angeles as a pre-med major.
The students will be recognized at the Duke TIP State Recognition Ceremony on Saturday, May 30 at the University of North Texas. They are also planning to attend a summer program at Austin College in June.
“I am really looking forward to the camp this summer because I know it will be a great learning experience,” Abigail said.
Congratulations to these outstanding students!