St. Ursula Academy student achieves top ACT score

St. Ursula Academy junior Kelsey Bowman was one of only two college-bound students in Ohio and one of 56 in the U.S. to achieve a 36, the highest possible composite score, on the February 2008 national test administration of the ACT. The daughter of Robert and Peggy Bowman of Colerain, Bowman is among 21,000 Ohio students, and 300,000 from across the nation, who completed the ACT college-entrance exam on Feb. 9, 2008.

“Kelsey Bowman is an excellent student. Achieving a perfect ACT score is certainly a rarity, but I was not surprised by Kelsey’s distinction. She has always had a fine work ethic and is inspired to reach intellectual heights because she enjoys the challenge, as well as the subsequent satisfaction that comes with doing one’s personal best,” says St. Ursula Principal Frances Romweber.

The ACT consists of tests in English, mathematics, reading and science. Each test is scored on a scale of 1-36, and a student’s composite score is the average of the four test scores. For purposes of comparison, the average composite score for the national high school graduation class of 2007 was 21.2. Some students also take ACT’s optional Writing Test, but the score for that test is reported separately and is not included in the ACT composite score. In a letter recognizing this exceptional achievement, ACT chief executive officer Richard L. Ferguson pointed out that Bowman should have a choice of the widest possible range of future education options. ACT scores are accepted by all major U.S. colleges and universities.

St. Ursula Academy is a Catholic, college-preparatory, secondary school for young women.  In 2002 the academy was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School. The campus, located at 1339 E. McMillan Street in East Walnut Hills has been the home of St. Ursula Academy and Convent since 1910.