The annual time for all students, except seniors, is upon us. SATs are right around the corner, and Palisade isn’t afraid to make sure every student is well prepared.
SAT, or Scholastic Aptitude Test, is a national test which places students in a percentile range depending on their reading skills and math skills. Juniors take the official test while sophomores and freshmen take the practice tests. This test is often used to determine acceptance for students into colleges and universities. It is known this test is often very stressful, but Palisade’s administration wants to make sure each student is prepared for the test so they don’t have a stressful test taking experience. Mr. Hayward, one of our school assistant principals, shared his view on the SAT and the importance of the bootcamp. “One of the things we’re measured on here at Palisade and all the high schools in the state is SAT performance. Giving students exposure to a test that they are not familiarized with has a better chance to increase their scores.” The bootcamp involves each teacher in every class providing practice questions to students. Hayward explained that, “even in your science classes or social studies classes, a lot of time the SAT will ask you questions within those subjects,” which is why every class is participating in the bootcamp. The bootcamp is also important in order to practice taking the test on a computer. This is the first time the SAT will be taken on a device. “We have to familiarize them with how to take the test on the computer,” Hayward said when explaining the bootcamps’ purpose.
Having a good SAT score not only helps students individually who want to pursue college, but also helps raise Palisade’s measure of academic success. “With anything in life you want to get better, which is what we want our students to strive towards.” Palisade high school is at a good standing for SAT performance, but there’s always room for improvement.
The SAT test will be taken the week of April fifteenth. Good luck to every Bulldog taking the test!
