Students honored for exceptional scores on college entrance exams
Nine seventh graders from Abilene ISD middle schools have earned state recognition as 2017-18 Duke Scholars for their exceptional scores on the ACT or SAT college entrance examination.
Sponsored by Duke University, the Talent Identification Program allows seventh graders from a 16-state region the opportunity to take the same ACT or SAT tests that high school students take when applying to college. Texas students with qualifying scores earn the state recognition.
One of the AISD students recognized in 2017-18, Emery Heflin of Craig Middle School, was further distinguished by earning Grand Recognition status for achieving a score that is approximately equal to the 90th national percentile rank for college-bound seniors taking the tests
Students qualify to participate in the talent search by scoring in the 95th percentile or higher on an approved grade-level standardized achievement test. AISD students were chosen based on their outstanding performance on the state’s STAAR assessment.
A total of 25 district students participated in the 2017-18 program.
This year’s Duke Scholars were recognized for their accomplishments at the Regular Meeting of the AISD Board of Trustees on May 7 at One AISD Center.
2017-18 ABILENE ISD DUKE SCHOLARS
Clack Middle School – Lucas Vinson
Craig Middle School – Ethan Dunn, Emery Heflin*, Griffin Sullivan, Nathan Wilson
Madison Middle School – Aaron Brokovich, Kava-Marie Portillo
Mann Middle School – Louisa Back, Alexander Englerth
* Denotes Grand Recognition
