Top ACT Scores AchievedResults recently released by ACT, Inc., show…

August 29, 2013

Top ACT Scores Achieved
Results recently released by ACT, Inc., show that NDCL’s class of 2013 posted the school’s highest ACT scores in all subject areas since at least 2001, the earliest year for which records are kept.
NDCL students exceeded ACT benchmark scores in every subject area tested, including reading (social sciences), English, math and science. The benchmarks predict a student’s chances of success in first-year college courses.
According to the ACT’s research, a student who achieves the benchmark score has about a 50 percent chance of earning at least a B or about a 75 percent chance of earning at least a C in a corresponding college course.
“Our students’ solid ACT achievement reflects our teachers’ efforts to align the NDCL curriculum with the ACT College Readiness Standards as well as our implementation of the ACT QualityCore program two years ago,” commented Principal Joseph A. Waler.
He also cited the school-wide focus on college-ready reading and assessment of learning as contributing factors to the strong ACT scores.
To help put the scores in perspective, Mr. Waler explained that the U. S. Department of Education sets a school mean (average) ACT score of 24.3 to identify the top 15 percent of all high schools in the nation.
“Our subject-area scores exceed or come close to that top 15 percent threshold,” Mr. Waler said. “Our composite ACT score–the average of all subject areas–stands at 24.0.”
“Of course, our teachers, counselors, administrators, and I won’t be satisfied until every score exceeds the threshold,” he stressed.
To this end, NDCL teachers will continue to meet every Monday morning in professional learning communities to collaborate on curriculum, instructional strategies and the assessment and analysis of classroom-level learning.
“The ACT scores and our ranking in the top 6 percent of all Ohio high schools on the Ohio Graduation Test prove that their hard work and the hard work of our students are really paying off,” Mr. Waler explained.
Cleveland Clinic Internships
NDCL juniors Samuel Dimmick, Emily Hyslop, Brady Kaucic and Rorey Smith and senior Matthew Tavares were among a prestigious group of about 100 students who recently graduated from the 2013 Cleveland Clinic Summer Internship Program.
The Cleveland Clinic Office of Civic Education Initiatives Summer Internship Program was designed to increase high school students’ interest and literacy in science by expanding their learning experiences beyond the classroom. The program’s intensive, nine-week internships provide top students throughout northeast Ohio with the opportunity to work and learn alongside nationally-renowned healthcare professionals in a variety of fields.
These intensive, hands-on programs promise to inspire the next generation of caregivers by expanding students’ learning experiences beyond the classroom doors,” said Rosalind G. Strickland, senior director, Cleveland Clinic Office of Civic Education Initiatives. “These exceptionally talented and bright students, from Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School and across the region chose to invest in their futures as they take their next steps in their academic journey.”
At the end of the program, students present scientific research or creative projects produced during the internship experience.
Sailing Through Project YESS
Each summer, residents of northeast Ohio watch the tall ships sail in and then sail off. NDCL sophomore Mandy Spangler had the unique opportunity to sail away with them through Project YESS.
Sponsored by the Cleveland Rotary Club, Project Youth Empowered to Succeed through Sailing (YESS) allows area teens to learn about sailing by working on some of the ships that are part of the Port of Cleveland’s Tall Ships Festival. Mandy was selected after completing the application process, which included writing three essays.
“My uncle heard about the opportunity and encouraged me to apply,” Mandy explained. “He is the one who taught me how to sail. I am so grateful to him for introducing me to it and telling me about this program.”
To prepare for the voyage, Mandy went through weeks of training sessions to learn about sails and masts on the ship, how to tie different knots and other skills. Mandy was then assigned to duty on the Srlandet, a Norwegian ship built in 1927.
“It was really interesting to meet and work with people from all over the world,” Mandy said. “I learned so much from this experience.”
The crew started in Cleveland and sailed on Lake Erie toward the Detroit River. They sailed to Lake St. Claire and then the St. Claire River to Lake Huron before arriving at their destination in Bay City, Mich.
“The sail experience expanded my horizons and taught me the value of leadership, communication skills and responsibility,” she said. “Even the smallest job is important. Each person on the ship depends on you to keep them safe.”