Thirty SHS students were recognized for earning a score of 30 or higher on the ACT.
On Tuesday, Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District administrative staff hosted the annual Starkville High School ACT 25/30+ Club Luncheon, celebrating 63 students who earned a composite score of 25 or better on the ACT college entrance exam during the 2025-2026 school year. Thirty-three students were honored for scoring at least 25 this year. Thirty students were inducted for earning a score of 30 or better, placing them in the 93rd percentile of students taking the exam nationally each year. Ony 22% of students nationwide score 25 or higher on the ACT.
"We are excited to celebrate you all with today's luncheon for the SHS 25+ and 30+ Club," Starkville High principal Watress Harris said in opening the event. "This accomplishment is something you all should be very proud of, and it puts you among the top of your peers as you prepare for college. We are pleased to honor you today as 2026 inductees."
Dr. Vernita Wilson, SOCSD Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, spoke with honorees during the luncheon and shared congratulations on behalf of the administrative team as well as a few encouragements for students as they prepare to apply and enter college.
"On behalf of our district staff and administration, I want to tell you how proud we are of you and your excellent work," she said. "The next phase of your life after high school as you enter college will be an exciting time - a time when you have a lot of independence. I encourage you to take advantage of every opportunity."
SOCSD Board President, Sumner Davis, also spoke with students to share the support of the Board of Trustees and highlight the advanced academic work the ACT scores represent.
Visit a PHOTO GALLERY of students inducted into the Starkville High School ACT 25+ and 30+ Club for the 2025-2026 school year
Deemed a "high performing" school district, SOCSD has earned an overall A-rating from the Mississippi Department of Education for the last two years, and has been recognized as one of the nation's top 100 "Districts on the Rise" by the Education Report Card, a collaborative research project produced jointly by the Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR) at Harvard University and the Educational Opportunity Project (EOP) at Stanford University. Student scores on the ACT exam play a small part each year in how the state's accountability ratings are determined.
In 2025, Starkville High School was also awarded a school-level A-rating. On average, more than 60% of Starkville High graduates go on to attend community college or a four-year university after high school, and the district provides a robust collection of advanced academic offerings to jumpstart a student's college coursework.
Starkville High offers more than 50 dual credit/dual enrollment courses available to 11th and 12th graders. From general core classes like English Composition, Biology and College Algebra to electives like Spanish, Music Appreciation and various CTE options, students can earn college credit while still in high school.
A variety of Advanced Placement course offerings provide students with an additional way to earn college credit based on passage of the national AP exams. In addition, partnerships with Mississippi State University like the Early Honors Academy and BasePair research program give students the opportunity to interact with professors and experience college courses and research projects.
Taking advantage of these advanced course options beginning in 11th grade requires students to earn the same ACT scores for admission that all other college students must earn. Regardless of whether a student decides to pursue college academic credits while still in high school, most post-secondary options require minimum ACT scores for entrance. Because of this, SOCSD has committed to helping Yellow Jacket students achieve their best on the national exam.
SHS administers the ACT to 10th and 11th graders twice each year at no cost to families, and the test is given during the regular school day, enabling more students to have the opportunity to take the test and improve their scores. In addition, SHS offers ACT test preparation coursework and resources as well as bootcamps to ensure students have the tools needed to achieve their best.
SOCSD Superintendent Dr. Tony McGee says this strategic approach aims to level the playing field for students who may not otherwise have the resources to take the test multiple times. And, beyond that, he says celebrating those who excel on this national benchmark of college readiness is part of enhancing the district's culture of excellence.
"Students want to be a part of this group. It's a tremendous accomplishment for students to score a 25+ or 30+ on the ACT," he says. "It's worthy of celebration as our district continues to provide students with opportunities for advanced studies."
Beyond that, he says the bottom line is that ACT scores at that level represent real college scholarship money for students.
"For many of our families, it can be a game changer in being able to go to college," he said. "As we move toward the construction of our new high school and providing more learning opportunities adjacent to a college campus, we hope to introduce more of our students to what's possible after high school. We want to provide the resources and opportunities to help them succeed. And when they do, we're here to celebrate together."
