ACT Assessment Suite
A test score is just a single moment, growth is the real story. In District 230, we measure the daily steps from freshman through junior year that add up the major progress.
9th Grade: Exploration & Habit Building
The Growth Milestone: Transitioning from 8th grade IAR results to high school PreACT baselines.
Key Assessments: Fall PreACT & Spring PreACT 9
Why These Scores Count:
- Connecting the Data: Your child's 8th grade IAR scores set their middle school performance baseline. High school PreACT scores allow us to measure real, continuous growth from middle school into high school.
- Building a Solid Foundation: Freshmen scores count because they establish where a student stands today, helping teachers customize academic support early in their high school journey.
- Pathway Discovery: PreACT 9 results map directly to career clusters, trade programs, and high school course pathways, ensuring every student stays on track for postsecondary success.
10th Grade: Skill Growth & Pathway Alignment
Key Assessments: Fall PreACT & Spring PreACT Secure, National Merit Qualifying Exam (optional)
Why These Scores Count:
- Measuring Growth: Sophomore year is about proving growth. Comparing 10th grade scores against freshman baselines gives students, parents, and teachers a clear picture of academic acceleration and areas where targeted interventions are needed.
- Building Real World Aptitude for Trades & Careers: These tests do not just measure college readiness, they test core problem solving, reading technical passages, and algebraic reasoning. These exact foundational skills are required for trade apprenticeship entrance exams.
- Customizing High School Course Work: Score reports highlight specific skill strengths. Counselors use the data to help students choose the appropriate level of courses for their junior year.
11th Grade: Opportunity & Real-World Credentials
The Growth Milestone: Caps off three years of tracked growth (from 8th grade IAR to 11th grade ACT)
Key Assessments: Fall PreACT & Spring ACT with Writing (Illinois Graduation Requirement)
Why These Scores Count:
- Ultimate Proof of Growth: Juniors official score represents the culmination of everyday efforts and measured progress across 9th, 10th, and 11th grade.
- Gateway to Merit, Scholarships, and College Admissions: The ACT score opens doors to university admissions, honors programs, and merit scholarships.
- Direct Post-Secondary Employment & Trade Credentials: Strong ACT math and reading subscores can fulfill entry requirements or waive placements test for local trade unions, technical institutes, two-year career certificates, and direct-hire employment programs.