Putnam City Schools

Putnam City North’s 2010 graduates rank number eight on the state’s list of Oklahoma high schools posting the highest average ACT composite score, the State Board of Education announced Thursday.

The 22.9 composite ACT score earned by Putnam City North seniors in 2010 tied for eighth place with five other high schools in Oklahoma.

The State Board of Education also announced that Putnam City North was ranked ninth in the state in total number of students who took the ACT. Typically, the more students who take the ACT test, the lower the composite score. However, Putnam City North was one of several state school districts this year that tested large student populations and also ranked among the state's highest scores.

Putnam City North’s ACT scores also stand up well to national numbers. The school’s 2010 composite ACT score is higher than the national composite score. What’s more, the school’s averages in every ACT category – English, math, reading and science – are also higher than national averages.

According to Dee Dee Stafford, who directs Putnam City North’s college office and advanced placement and gifted programs, student success on the ACT has do with years of student preparation.

“In order to score well on the ACT, a student simply has to take a strong college-prep curriculum. That curriculum needs to include four years of math and chemistry and/or physics to get an extra edge on the math and science reasoning sections of the exam. Selecting challenging course work, not taking the easy route, is the key,” Stafford says.

Dr. Brian Chastain, principal at Putnam City North, says preparation for the ACT accelerates as the test-taking dates grow closer.

"Our focus is first and foremost to always strongly encourage students to take four years of math and science. Having that foundation is crucial. But for students getting ready to take the test, there’s added focus available through the ACT workshops, classes and online prep course we offer,” Chastain says.