Sidney Students Perform Well in ACT Tests

Some students are challenged by test anxiety, but you wouldn’t know it by the results of Sidney High School’s ACT test results.

Sidney High School principal Chris Arent updated the school board on the ACT test performances at the district board meeting Monday. Arent said 2018 test results are still embargoed; however, the 2018 results, from tests completed in April, show students doing above the state average.

“I can tell you we did very well,” Arent told the school board.

He said the 2018 class performed above the state and national ACT test performances. Arent and Curriculum and Assessment Director Sheri Ehler also mentioned a report correlating the relationship between socio-economic status and test performance.

Ehler also said the District is in the fifth year of its accreditation cycle. An internal review of the schools is scheduled for next spring. She said people who work in education, but from other regions, will be visiting Sidney schools to perform evaluations.

“It is kind of an exciting experience for all of us,” she said.

She said the critique lets staff know how well they are connecting with students and where they can improve.

The board also approved an overnight trip for the Journey Through Our Heritage student group. The students will be traveling to Metro State University in Denver for the Cultural Expressions Competition Dec. 7-8. Arent said the program involves students researching their heritage, then writing and performing skits and speeches, and related artwork.

“It’s been a successful program,” Superintendent Jay Ehler said. “Any student is welcome to participate.”

Arent said the overnight stay is requested because otherwise students would be returning late in the night.

At the beginning of the meeting, the board recognized the Sidney High School cross-country team for winning the state championship, and the October students of the month. The board also accepted three students transferring into the district.