Loading

MCA’s 21 Club Takes Aim at the ACT Test Students in Milwaukee Collegiate’s Class of 2019 have become founding members of the new student group designed to help motivate themselves and their classmates to reach various educational goals including having success on the ACT test and going on to college.

Most of our scholars want to succeed, they just need help figuring out what they need to do in order to get there. One way to motivate students is to get them to take a hard look at themselves and determine their own strengths and weaknesses. That is just one purpose of Milwaukee Collegiate Academy’s new 21 Club aimed at improving scores on the critical ACT test.

This year, over 20 students in MCA’s Class of 2019 have become founding members of the new student group designed to help motivate themselves and their classmates to reach various educational goals including having success on the ACT test and going on to college.

“MCA’s 21 Club reinforces our culture of college, achievement and character,” says Principal Judith Parker. “We are all going to college and we are going to support each other to get there.”

On October 6, they held an overnight, student lock-in to help motivate themselves to achieve a score of 21 or better on the ACT test next year. They spent time encouraging each other and worked to develop themselves as student leaders. The Class of 2019 engaged in a series of leadership breakout sessions, a scavenger hunt, movies, fun and games.

Students share positive messages of encouragement with each other to help increase motivation.

Developing a growth mindset and goal setting are key components to help build students' capacity to tackle the increasing academic and personal challenges they are facing.

Pictured: An MCA 11th-grader concentrates on goal setting.

Members of the 21 Club learned how to prepare for the ACT test from a 12th-grader who earned a high score last year.

“The 21 Club is based on MCA's belief in what can happen when adults get out of the way and let students take the lead,” says Parker. “Incentives only go so far in motivating students. Our kids love each other and their love of each other is what drives them to be their best — in all things.”

With a school mission that emphasizes to and through college and a track record of 100% college acceptances, ACT performance is an important factor in student success beyond high school. Most students at MCA set high expectations for themselves when it comes to the ACT. And, MCA teachers want their scholars to succeed.

“For our scholars, it is easy to be overwhelmed by standardized testing and college application process,” says Director of Counseling and Alumni Engagement Samantha Mewes. “The 21 Club can help to give our students the tools, peer support and a road map to getting into college and receiving a literal life-changing experience.”

MCA students also know they can miss out on admission to highly selective schools where graduation rates are higher and scholarships are more available. The 21 Club is a mindset boost that can help them believe in themselves enough to persist and graduate, Parker explains.

“When our kids perform well on the ACT, it opens so many more doors for them in regards to their college choice,” ADDS MEWES. “I want our scholars to be able to choose the colleges they want to attend as well as make it more affordable for them.”

In addition to high expectations related to academics, behavior and attendance, scholars in the 21 Club will participate in ACT prep sessions each month and must engage in community service projects three times a year.

Stay Tuned. We will sharing updates about the 21 Club story throughout the year.

4030 North 29th Street • Milwaukee, WI 53216 • (414) 873-4014

Report Abuse

If you feel that this video content violates the Adobe Terms of Use, you may report this content by filling out this quick form.

To report a Copyright Violation, please follow Section 17 in the Terms of Use.