Gates County Community Partnership and A Plus Test Prep help juniors build confidence, strategy, and college readiness.
GATESVILLE — High school juniors from Gates, Hertford, Chowan, and Northampton counties recently completed a free, two-session ACT Prep initiative designed to strengthen test-taking skills and expand access to college readiness resources in rural northeastern North Carolina.
The program was sponsored by Gates County Community Partnership, a local nonprofit, and delivered by A Plus Test Prep of Durham, North Carolina. Three high schools participated in the initiative, which focused on building students’ understanding of ACT scoring, scholarship opportunities, and practical strategies for improving performance across all sections of the exam.
The first session emphasized goal setting and helping students understand why ACT scores matter. Students reviewed how test scores can impact college admissions, merit scholarships, and future career pathways. Participants also received an overview of the ACT structure and were introduced to core strategies such as time management, answering every question, using elimination, and circling keywords in prompts. In addition, students worked through ACT-style practice questions and were encouraged to take notes and actively participate.
The second and final session focused more heavily on the Math, Reading, and Science sections of the ACT. Students learned section-specific techniques for pacing, breaking down questions, interpreting charts and graphs, and identifying the difference between “big picture” and “small detail” questions. The final session reinforced the importance of keeping momentum and making strategic choices.
Organizers say the initiative is part of a broader effort to reduce barriers that students in rural communities often face when it comes to accessing test prep and college readiness support.
“Programs like this are about opportunity,” said Brian Rountree of Gates County Community Partnership. “When we remove cost barriers and bring high-quality support directly into our community, students are able to see what’s possible. This initiative gave our juniors practical tools, confidence, and a stronger understanding of how ACT success can open doors to college and scholarships.”
This free initiative reflected a regional commitment to supporting youth across northeastern North Carolina. While the program was initially targeted toward Gates County High School juniors, it was expanded to welcome additional students from neighboring communities. Organizers hope the success of the two-session initiative will serve as a foundation for future college and career readiness programming in the region.