Grand Junction High School is encouraging students to practice before the PSAT and SAT testing planned to happen April 14-15.
The schedule for testing involves freshmen and juniors to test on Tuesday, April 14, and sophomores to test on Wednesday, April 15. Students will have 2 hours and 30 minutes to test. Once they are finished, they are released from school.
“I think they are prepared greatly due to the set goals and action steps for improving our scores we have. You may notice teachers do practice questions as a warm-up. I think we have done a lot to prepare you all,” said GJHS assistant Principal Jared Burek, who also serves as the school’s SAT coordinator.
Seniors do not take the SAT, giving them two days off from school.
Burek said the SAT is not an absolute requirement to graduate. There is a menu of options available for students who do not take the SAT or meet the state requirements. SAT is just one of the ways you can show proficiency for graduation. The SAT scores do impact the school.
“It impacts the school in a way that the scores grade our school. The state has a performance framework for every school in Colorado. We get points for certain scores that, for example, affect what our school’s graduation rate is,” said Burek.
GJHS students are assigned a specific room and proctor for the testing. This information can be found posted in the commons on the front office wall.
The SAT typically would cost about a $68 fee for people to take the test. District 51 does not charge students a fee and provides school time.
Editor’s Note: Gia Towner is a GJHS freshman currently enrolled in a reporting class.
