Lyman Ward Sophomores on Track for College

CAMP HILL, AL --- Twenty Lyman Ward Military Academy sophomores took the PLAN (pre-ACT) assessment in May.  Academic Dean and Counselor MAJ Jeff Damron says the results show that most of the sophomore class is on target to meet ACT’s College Readiness Benchmarks by the time they graduate from high school.

“ACT’s College Readiness Benchmarks are empirically-based, and identify a student’s level of achievement in English, mathematics, reading, and science,” Damron says.  “The assessment shows a student’s relative strengths and weaknesses in these core subject areas important for success in college.  Students can see how their scores compare with other students across the nation who have taken the PLAN test.

“Essentially, the PLAN shows how well the cadets are learning the skills they need to be ready for college.  This information is useful to the faculty as we help them to continue to build on their strengths, and work to improve the areas they still need to work on.”

Damron said that one of the most helpful features of the PLAN is a career interest inventory, in which students are asked questions about the courses they plan to take, their career interests, and their plans for after high school.  This information helps students structure their educational planning in order to prepare for college and careers.

“Almost all high-paying jobs require some higher education or technical training after high school,” Damron said.  “While college may seem a long way off to many sophomores, we want them to start preparing now to take – and work hard in – challenging core courses in high school.

“Taking the PLAN assessment is an example of Lyman Ward’s strong commitment to increase the college readiness of all of our cadets.  We want them to learn the skills they will need to be ready for college and a career that fits their strengths and interests.”

Established in 1898, Lyman Ward is an independent, fully accredited, college preparatory boarding school for young men in grades 6 – 12, located in Camp Hill, AL.