NMHS AVID Students Fund ACT

NMHS AVID Students Fund Free ACT
Posted on 04/01/2022
The SAT and ACT tests are critical parts of the college admission process. At New Manchester High School, juniors and seniors in the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program were recently able to take each test free of charge thanks to their own fundraising efforts. 

“In AVID, we look for students in AP and honors classes, but we also look for students who may be first-generation college students,” said NMHS AVID teacher Tahira Chandler. “Those students don’t have $50, $60 or $80 laying around, so we’re here to close opportunity gaps. A part of closing that gap is covering the costs of taking the ACT/SAT assessment."

For Chandler, the idea to help students raise money to take the test free of charge stemmed from AVID’s mission of promoting college and career readiness among students. Under this mission, Chandler said she strives to have all juniors take the ACT in their second semester and all seniors take the SAT during the first semester. 

In order to raise the money this year, students sold baking mixes to family, friends and teachers. By the end of the fundraiser, students in the program raised over $900, which covered the cost of their tests. 

These 35 students and others who registered also received the advantage of getting to have a test date at NMHS on a school day during school hours. Chandler said that being able to take tests like the SAT and ACT provide numerous advantages to students. 

“It’s important just in case there are transportation issues, and also when students are in school, we know they have breakfast, and they’re getting their nourishment to stay focused,” Chandler said. “When they’re at school, we know they’re being taken care of.”

These students’ hard work did not go unnoticed. On March 25, NMHS’ ACT representative rewarded these students with a pizza party to commend them for their efforts. 

“This was totally shocking, honestly,” said Chandler. “I really didn’t want them to have that stress, so I was super proud of them for all the work they put in. It was amazing, and the students were extra excited about taking the test.”

Along with students working hard to raise money for the tests, DCSS AVID Coordinator, Melissa Joe also spoke highly of Chandler, saying “Tahira is an amazing teacher. She’s unbelievable,” said Joe. “She had a real mission to have those juniors take that ACT, and she’s not the kind of person who leaves anything to chance, and she would climb a volcano for those kids.”
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