82% of 8th Graders at or above National Average on EXPLORE® Test

By Ryan Blackburn

For the first time this past Fall, the EXPLORE Test was administered to eighth graders on an Archdiocesan-wide level. EXPLORE is the first test on the track provided by ACT to assess College and Career-Readiness. More than 5,300 Catholic school eighth graders took the test and their combined results show that 82 achieved a composite test score at or above the national average. They also significantly exceeded the national average on each testing component.

National Comparisons

Student Performance Averages*

*The national median for the EXPLORE composite score is 15.

College-Readiness (Are students on track to be college ready when they graduate from high school?)

While 8th grade students in the Archdiocese significantly outperform their national peers in terms of being college-ready, there is a clear need for improvement in Math and Science of the CRS.

"Our teachers teach - and our students respond! This composite snapshot of our eighth graders' performance is both a validation of the schools' work and a challenge.  The EXPLORE scores validate excellence,  but also call us to sharpen the focus for each student and pinpoint areas of improvement." - Sr. Mary Paul McCaughey, O.P., Superintendent

Focusing on test scores has changed the way many schools teach students these days.  In the Catholic schools, we take tests seriously, but we know they are only one measure of success.

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About EXPLORE®

The EXPLORE® program is designed to help eighth and ninth graders explore a broad range of options for their future. It prepares students not only for their high school coursework but for their post high school choices as well. Information for parents can be found here.