A perfect score: Pell City senior Adcox aces ACT

Published 11:14 am Thursday, August 17, 2017

Perfection is something most strive for but rarely achieve. How rare? Out of the tens of thousands of students that take the ACT every year, only .108 percent achieved the highest score of 36. 

Local Pell City High School (PCHS) senior Kaylie Adcox did just that, scoring a perfect 36 on the ACT. She was recognized at the Pell City Board of Education meeting on Tuesday.

“She (Kaylie) is very diligent in her studies and we’re very proud of her,” Dr. Tony Dowdy, PCHS Principal stated. “It is important for the community to see how our students are doing.”

Adcox said that she had taken the ACT three times, each time increasing her score.

“I was surprised when I saw the score. I thought they must have put it in wrong so I kept checking,” Adcox said. “I didn’t believe it until I got the results in the mail.”

She plans on pursuing a career in the medical field, but has not decided on a college destination yet.

“The world is an option (for her),” Dr. Michael Barber, Pell City School System Superintendent said.

Dr. Dowdy said that PCHS has seen an increase in scores in each section of the ACT, with the top 10 percent scoring an average of 28.  Dr. Dowdy and Dr. Barber accredited this increase to the hard work of students and teachers, who attended professional development and ACT training courses to learn mechanisms to better understand the test.

Last year, PCHS had a total of 1173 students with an 88 percent graduation rate. Forty-two students scored 25 or higher on the ACT and graduates received approximately $4.1 million in scholarships. PCHS also offers college and career options with dual enrollment classes in conjunction with Jefferson State Community College. Classes offered are certified nursing, pharmacy, as well as apprenticeship programs with the Academy of Craft Training and Garrison Steel.

Students have also made great achievements in Agricultural Sciences studies, led by teacher Laycie Lambert. Lambert was recognized for receiving the Teacher of Teachers Award from the Alabama Association of Agricultural Educators. The award is given to those teachers who had students that have gone on to college and become teachers themselves. Lambert has been teaching in Pell City for 17 years.

“It is a great testament to the program and it has a big impact on students,” Dr. Dowdy said.

Around 15 students have received full scholarships to Auburn through the agricultural program.

“To inspire your kids to go on to teach is one of the happiest moments,” Dr. Barber said. “Those experiences are such a wonderful thing.”

Dr. Barber also discussed the 24 new buses that have been purchased for the 2017-2018 school year, stating they will arrive in phases, beginning at the end of August and September, and the school board are excited about the new pre-kindergarten program that has been implemented this year.

“A lot goes into getting the school year started,” Dr. Barber said. “All that preparation has made a smooth start to the school year.”

The next Pell City Board of Education meeting will be held on September 12 at 6 p.m.