WEST LIBERTY, Iowa — Editor's Note: The story above discusses an annual education study and how school districts in Illinois need more teachers and substitutes.
On April 29, ACT's ACAC named West Liberty High School as one of the 27 winning School of Excellence awardees and the only one in Iowa.
The ACAC is a national effort to increase the number of first-generation college students and students from low-income families pursuing a college degree or other higher education credential.
“We are incredibly excited to recognize the 2023-24 School of Excellence winners, and the communities of educators, volunteers, and students who have helped drive this nationwide campaign forward, with the most applications ever submitted as part of the campaign,” ACT CEO Janet Godwin said.
ACAC events help high school seniors submit at least one college application during the school day. Winning schools help students understand the steps of the application process and host events to help students complete an application.
“We have seen firsthand how communities can transform the lives of students and their entire trajectories as they navigate life after high school and into college,” ACAC Director Lisa King said. “I’m so proud for ACAC to recognize more School of Excellence winners this year than ever before."
Some of the activities included in 2023 included college application drives, financial aid workshops, and one-on-one mentoring for academic and career planning support.
The campaign has served roughly 4.7 million students who have submitted nearly 8.7 million applications since 2005.
For more information about the ACAC visit ACT's Center for Equity in Learning.
Watch more news, weather and sports on News 8's YouTube channel