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OTTUMWA/FAIRFIELD, IOWA -- Some great news from the ACT testing program, for the third consecutive year, the overall composite score has risen, meaning high school students taking the college prep test are doing better and better.

Students in the Fairfield Community School District, according to Superintendent Art Sathoff, are exceeding the state average with a composite score of 23.2.  Superintendent Sathoff was pleased with the numbers, and knows that the curriculum in place is working.

Superintendent Sathoff told KTVO that students within his district prepare for the exam through individualized instruction, online programs and advanced coursework, but also have the chance to participate in the ZAPS program.

The program is a great test preparation tool where officials from the ACT program come to the school and give our practice tests and grade those tests, so students know what they are in for on test day.

In the Ottumwa Community School District, the composite score was a 22.3, which is in-line with the state average. Ottumwa High School Principal Mark Hanson told KTVO Wednesday that he is happy about the score, but would like to see more of his students take the exam.

“You are always glad that you are at-least in-line with how the rest of the state is doing. I think our average is a 22.3, which was our composite score, which is ok. What I would like to be able to do is to get kids, more kids, in a position to take that test by the time they are juniors and seniors so they can at-least see how they stack up with the rest of the students. And you know, that might open a door for them, you never know. They might qualify for scholarships if they do better then they thought they would, they might consider going to a four-year school instead of a two year school. Those are the questions that students need to have answered by the time they are out of high school,” said Principal Hanson.

Principal Hanson also discussed how important it is, as a freshman, coming into your first year of high school, and preparing yourself for exams like the ACT. 

On Wednesday evening he, along with other faculty members, will host a freshman parent night where incoming freshman and their parents have an opportunity to meet the administration and faculty that work at the high school.