Monarch Butterflies and Wax Moths are similar in many ways, but there are some important differences. In the fall, Monarchs migrate thousands of miles from Canada and the United States to a particular region in Mexico.  Their top speed is around 12 miles per hour so it is a long journey but they have a goal, they don’t deviate from it, and they eventually arrive.  Moths, on the other hand, don’t have a goal.  They just circle around and eventually end up flying into a candle flame or stuck to a car windshield. 

At one time, our approach to the ACT test was more like a moth than a butterfly. We fluttered around, sometimes going in the right direction and at other times, the opposite way. Our scores varied from year to year but were never what we felt they should be.  About four years ago we revamped our ACT Prep program by targeting juniors and seniors with lessons taught by subject area teachers. Following those changes there was some improvement,  but we still did not get the results we wanted.  We were still just fluttering around, hoping for the best. This summer, we finally realized one major weakness of our efforts to improve ACT scores was that we had no real goal.  Sure, we wanted better scores, but what were better scores?  Did that mean raising our average composite score but one tenth of a point? Two tenths? A half point?  With that thought in mind, a group of teachers met several times during July and August.  The results of those meetings have been a revamped ACT prep program and a specific goal.

Our goal at AHS is “21 x 23”-- a school average of 21 by the time our current freshman class graduates in 2023. This year each of our four grades has a specific goal which culminates with a 21 for the class of 2023.  This is over 1.5 points higher than any graduating class at AHS has ever scored.  While this might seem like a modest goal, raising the school average this much will be a major achievement that will require work and commitment. 

Mark Hansen, who co-wrote Chicken Soup for the Soul once said “You fail at 100% of the goals you don’t set.”  We have set an ambitious but attainable goal.  Like a Monarch Butterfly headed for Mexico, it may take a while, but we have a destination and we are going after it. 

21 x 23

I’ll see you in the halls. 

We at AHS are firm believers in the importance of post-secondary education. We place a heavy emphasis on attending a university or community college, but we also know that many of our students have an interest in non-academic areas. We strongly encourage those students to pursue training through a Tennessee College of Applied Technology or TCAT. Contrary to what many people think, working in a technical field opens up hundreds of career possibilities with excellent salaries.  In fact, many 12-18 month training programs at a TCAT lead to a much better salary than many careers requiring a bachelor's degree or higher.  

With that in mind, one of the most exciting things we have going on at AHS this year is our TCAT Cardinal Campus. Our juniors and seniors can work in our new Distance Learning Lab and complete the classroom portion of multiple programs available at TCAT Crump.  Currently there are 6 TCAT programs in which students can enroll at Cardinal Campus. After completing the classroom portion of the program, our students will then attend the hands-on segment on the TCAT campus. 

The Administrative Office Technology program leads to jobs such as a receptionist or customer service representative. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the salary range for this field is $25-30,000. Computer Aided Design leads to careers such as a mechanical or architectural drafter which have a beginning salary range of $45-55,000 yearly. The Computer Information Systems program leads to jobs like network administrator or computer support specialists and salaries in the $50,000 range. Another program available at Cardinal Campus is Collision Repair Technology, which offers salaries in the $40-45,000 dollar range.  Digital Graphic Design is a rapidly growing field with jobs like graphic design, layout artist, and multimedia designers.  These jobs often have starting salaries ranging from $45-48,000 per year. The final program currently available at Cardinal Campus is the Health Information Technology program. This leads to a career in Medical Coding, which is one of the most rapidly growing fields in our area.  The salary range for medical coders is in the $40-45,000 range.

Clearly, there are many fantastic opportunities for our students who are not interested in attending a university or community college. We strongly encourage our students to take advantage of these programs so that they can be well on their way to a better life by the time they graduate from high school. 

I’ll see you in the halls. 

​According to a report in the Washington Post, the average student in the United States will take 112 standardized tests from the time they enter kindergarten until they graduate. While there is a growing group of people who believe that number is far too high, standardized testing is not going away anytime soon. Most of those tests serve no purpose beyond attempting to measure what a student has learned in a given class.  However, there is one test that can literally change a student’s life: the ACT. 

A student’s ACT score determines whether or not they must take remedial courses at the college level.  For example, a student who scores 18 or below on the math portion of the ACT will be required to take remedial math courses before taking any required math courses.  This equates to time and money because it could delay graduation and increase tuition. Tennessee students who earn a 21 on the ACT become eligible for the HOPE scholarship.  The HOPE awards a student $4,000 per year for a total of $16,000. The HOPE alone covers almost half of the tuition costs at most in-state public universities.  Most schools offer additional scholarships for students who score above a 25.  The ‘Holy Grail’ for ACT scores is 30 and above.  For example, the University of Tennessee has the Volunteer Scholarship, a $5,000 per year scholarship for an ACT of 31 and $8,000 per year for a 34.  There are many others of varying amounts at most institutions.  In some instances, students can actually receive more in scholarships than the cost of tuition and housing.  In summary, the right ACT score can speed up graduation and significantly lower costs and/or the amount of debt a student and their family assume. 

This is why we at AHS place such importance on the ACT test.  We understand that many of our students are not interested in attending a university after they graduate. We strongly support and encourage those who would prefer to attend TCAT or enter the workforce directly after graduating. However, not a month goes by that we do not have former students who contact us wanting a copy of their transcript sent to a community college or university.  After years in the workplace, many of them have realized that more education can greatly increase their career opportunities.  With that in mind, we prepare and encourage all our students to give their best on the ACT test.

I’ll see you in the halls. 

Someone once told me that a school year was like a trip on an airplane.  The flight is usually smooth--its the take-off and landing that gives you trouble.  This year has definitely been a bumpy take-off at AHS.  There were many things that had to be moved to the new junior high wing at AES.  Over a third of our teachers relocated to new rooms as we expanded into the old junior high classrooms. Students may have enjoyed the extra two weeks of summer break but it complicated things for sports and band. Teachers lost two weeks of valuable instructional time. The switch to a new student management system has also posed challenges that are still being resolved. However, after two weeks we are off the ground and headed for cruising altitude. 

Last year during the first week of school I shared my vision for Adamsville High School with both faculty and students.  There are two parts to that vision.  First of all, I wanted AHS to be a place where people want to be--a place students want to attend, a place where parents want their children to go, and a place where teachers want to work.  The second part of my vision is that I want our students to be ready when they leave---ready for wherever their decisions take them be that college, a vocational school, the military, or a job. 

Once again, during the first week of school I spoke with each individual grade level and told them that my vision hasn’t changed.  Those are still the two things that drive me each day.  Throughout this year, everything we do will be geared toward furthering that vision.  To be where we need to be it will take all of us--administrators, faculty and staff, students, parents, and the entire community.  With that in mind, I will be sharing regular updates with you through our social media and web page.  I’m looking forward to seeing what our students can accomplish.