Here's What's Happening

In a continual effort to encourage our students to extend their educational experiences beyond their high school graduations by eliminating potential barriers, Clayton County Public Schools (CCPS) provides opportunities throughout the year to support this mission. ACT District Testing Day and SAT School Day are just two of the multiple activities sponsored by the district to accomplish this task. CCPS students taking college entrance exams are critical stepping stones in their paths toward college and career success.

ACT District Testing Day and SAT School Day allow high school juniors across CCPS to take these tests during a school day, taking care of a possible transportation issue of attending a traditional testing date, which usually falls on a Saturday. The district also pays the fee associated with each test. Historically, CCPS has between 1,120 to 1,650 students participate in SAT School day each March, and this year, we have over 1,500 11th-grade students who have already signed up to participate in ACT School Day this fall. “Our high schools offer SAT and ACT testing during school days to increase accessibility and participation, particularly among 11th-grade students who may face barriers to taking the tests on weekends,” said Dr. Delphia Young, Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning and Strategic Improvement. “By holding exams during school hours, schools ensure that more of our 11th-grade students have the opportunity to take
these critical college entrance exams in a familiar setting, which can help reduce test anxiety and encourage
higher education aspirations.”

“This approach also supports state and district accountability measures and aligns with efforts to promote college and career readiness for all students,” Dr. Young added. “The establishment of ACT Day and SAT Day events focuses attention on the services and tools provided by the College Board designed to support students and families as they undertake the task of seeking college entrance following high school.”

“I appreciate the school district offering and paying for the ACT because it does not take money out of the parent's pockets, but ensures that all 11th-graders will have equal access to this important college entrance exam,” said Isabel Donaldson, a junior at Stilwell School of the Arts. “Additionally, it also allows for an easy way to take the test because students do not have to travel to a testing location, which is taxing on the lives of busy parents.” 

“Being a scholar in school can be stressful and tough, because we’re often so focused on getting things done, like passing classes with all As, applying for colleges, preparing for college, and ensuring we are qualified for scholarships; however, having a school that supports us like Lovejoy High School, makes the transition into adulthood more seamless,” says Miss Kristen Wilson, a member of the LHS Class of 2025.

“The in-house SAT Day was nothing short of a blessing! My classmates and I were escorted by our teachers to the testing room to get started with our free SAT session. We were equipped with the tools we needed to be successful. We were not required to bring anything. We simply showed up prepared with a test-ready mindset and our Chromebook,” she added.

During the 2024-25 school year, the ACT Day is Tuesday October 23, 2024, and the SAT Day is March 19, 2025.

How Can Grade Students and Families Prepare for the ACT?

1. The best way to prepare is to do your best in your classes. ACT measures what students have been
learning in school all along.
2. Use this Preparing for the ACT Booklet, a free booklet that will tell students everything they need to
practice and prepare, and take the practice test.
3. Use other free practice tests and resources ACT Practice Resources
4. Learn how Using Your ACT® Results can guide your career path.

How Can Students and Families Prepare for the SAT?

1. Create a College Board account.
2. Explore Big Future for college planning resources.
3. Use the Make a Plan tool to get a step-by-step road map for applying to college.
4. Create a Khan Academy account and link it to your College Board account to use students’ PSAT
scores for personalized official SAT practice.
5. Download the Bluebook app and take practice exams.
6. Learn how to understand your scores and determine the best-fit colleges for students to send their
scores to using this link: 4 free score sends.