ACT Aspire

The students and staff of the Jackson County School District are simply amazing!  In the middle of a pandemic, our students’ ACT Aspire test scores were the best in our Co-OP! The School Board and I are very proud of their academic achievements and hard work.  Our students and staff are the best!

Chester Shannon, Superintendent

Tuckerman Elementary School was extremely pleased with the results of the ACT Aspire testing that was given in April of 2021. While K-2 worked hard preparing for the I-Ready Test, the 3rd and 4th graders were preparing for the ACT Aspire test that is given at the end of the school year.  With the repercussions of COVID still in effect, Mr. Pharis Smith, the principal of TES, was concerned but optimistic about the scores of his students.

“I felt that we as a faculty have always been really invested in seeing our students have success and growth throughout the school year, but shutting down school in March the previous year and dealing with COVID sickness and quarantines, I really didn’t know what to expect.  I was so proud of our teachers and students for the effort they put forth this year.” 

All the hard work and dedication paid off with the 3rd and 4th grade scoring extremely well in all areas of the test. 

Mr. Smith added, “Out of all the schools in the Co-Op and surrounding area, we scored either first, second or third in the areas of Math, Reading, Language and Science.  When comparing our scores to other districts, it really made me beam with pride for the hard work our students, parents and teachers put in to ensure that not only did we have success on test scores, but we also closed the achievement gaps created through these COVID times.” 

Pharis Smith, Tuckerman Elementary School Principal

The Swifton Middle School 2020-2021 ACT Aspire test scores were incredible, even despite the challenges the teachers and students faced with the COVID pandemic. In the northeast Arkansas Educational Co-Op, the 5th grade scores were at the top of the co-op in English, reading and ELA.  Fifth grade math scores were 2nd highest in the co-op; science scores were 3rd highest. Sixth grade scored in the top 5 in the educational co-op in all tested areas, with 6th grade math being the 5th highest score in the ENTIRE state of Arkansas! Seventh grade scores were top of the co-op in reading, ELA, and math, with science scoring 2nd highest. These scores prove above and beyond that this group of teachers, kids, and parents have got a good thing going on!

“These students and teachers never cease to amaze me! I know we have the best of the best kiddos and teachers, and these test scores are proof of that for everyone else to see! We work together as a family, have each others’ backs, and hold each other up, and it shows each and every day!”   

Kristy Sutherland, Swifton Middle School Principal

The Tuckerman High School students left campus in the spring of 2020 and did not take the ACT Aspire. THS again scored at the top of the Northeast Cooperative in 2021.  There were 80+ students learning virtually during most of the 2020-2021 school year.   The 8th, 9th, and 10th graders were tested in English, Math, Science, and Reading. 

“Our students scored first in our Co-Op on 8 of the 12 tests.  Taking all of these factors into consideration, I'm extremely proud of the performance that our students demonstrated.  Our students and teachers likely experienced the most difficult year of their careers.  But, our students, teachers, and staff continued to work hard and poured everything they had into teaching and learning.  We have something special at THS, and I'm very thankful to be a part of this team.” 

Michael Holland, Tuckerman High School Principal