EDGARD — The Louisiana ACT council recently honored West St. John High School for its efforts to significantly increase the number of students taking the ACT assessment and improve the school’s performance on the college admissions exam.

West St. John High was one of 25 high schools in the state to earn the 2012 College Readiness Award from the state ACT council. According to a release from the council, students at the school have significantly increased their level of achievement and college readiness over the past five years.

“This can only happen as a result of the high school’s faculty and staff efforts and the dedication of West St. John High School students and parents to focus on college and career readiness,” said Karen L. Pennell, assistant vice president for the ACT southwest regional office in Austin, Texas. “West St. John and the other 24 Louisiana schools that achieved this superior level of accomplishment should be extremely proud of their efforts.”

The ACT council is comprised of secondary and postsecondary educators who advise ACT Inc. on the utilization of ACT programs and services in schools and colleges. ACT Inc. is the non-profit organization that publishes the ACT assessment, the college admissions test that is used and accepted by all colleges nationwide and throughout the state. The organization also provides assessment, research, information and program management services in education and workforce development.

In 2012, more than 98 percent of Louisiana high school students took the ACT assessment to determine their college readiness.