School is out for the summer but ACT Prep is in with Greenville Renaissance Scholars’ (GRS) new, no cost, online ACT Prep offering.
The online ACT Prep program, which GRS is calling “Conquering the Test,” will begin May 30 and run through June 6 with sessions starting each day from 9 a.m. until noon.
Students across the nation work diligently every year to prepare for the ACT — a test that significantly impacts their college trajectory.
Students’ ACT scores determine their college admission, potential scholarship opportunities and courses they may have to enroll in.
“We usually do this every couple of months — right before every national ACT test date,” GRS executive director Amanda Bowman said.
Because of the great bearing this test has on students’ post-secondary education, GRS works tirelessly to offer free ACT prep sessions for high school students and professionals seeking to further their career.
Due to COVID-19, Bowman said the GRS has made the “heartbreaking” decision to suspend all in-person programming, including in-person ACT prep.
However, the pandemic has not deterred the GRS from their mission — to inspire, motivate, and prepare students to succeed on a college track through academic enrichment, college planning, leadership training, arts programming, and community experiences.
“Even in the times of the pandemic, the ACT is still incredibly important. It will still determine students’ college admissions, scholarship opportunities and if they will have to take remedial courses,” Bowman said.
That incredible importance is why the GRS is more committed than ever to ensuring every student has the tools he or she needs for success.
GRS’ free online ACT prep series is for any student in Washington County through a partnership with the Community Foundation of Washington County and United Way of Washington County.
Via the online conferencing tool Zoom, students will receive high-quality instruction in English, math, reading, and science from certified teachers.
“We know that virtual learning can be a little bit intimidating for some, but we’re all learning and we’re all working through it together and this actually opens up the door for even more learning opportunities for our students,” Bowman explained.
She highlighted the students don’t actually have to come to E.E. Bass or travel to Greenville if they live in Hollandale, Leland, Arcola or Western Line and any of those places.
“So now they have the same access to the same content and the same instruction without having to travel to E.E. Bass and work out transportation logistics and those sorts of things, and it’s still free. So, they’re still getting the same quality level of instruction without having to leave their homes, plus we just feel it’s a little bit safer,” Bowman said. “In this current pandemic, health and safety is our number one priority while still providing the same quality instruction.”
Students will also be able to access a virtual copy of the practice test that will be used for all four sessions.
Students with limited printing access can pick up a paper copy of the practice test from the marked container in front of E.E. Bass Cultural Arts Center beginning Thursday.
To register for online ACT prep, contact Amanda Bowman at 606-524-1889 or akayebowman@gmail.com.
