Perry High School is one of just 23 schools in the nation to earn the honor

Perry High School has been named a 2022 School of Excellence award winner by the American College Application Campaign (ACAC), a national effort to increase the number of first-generation college students and students from low-income families pursuing a college degree or other higher education credential. The 23 Schools of Excellence are a group of exemplary schools across the nation that are helping students pursue postsecondary success.

ACAC recognized Perry High School for the welcoming environment it provides its students, especially in its college and career readiness curriculum. Perry regularly hosts events to engage students and empower them to meet their postsecondary education goals. Perry’s school counseling staff works directly in classrooms and offers specific times to assist students with their planning and college applications. In addition to providing direct assistance, staff connects students with college representatives and celebrates every college application students submit to make it a community experience and process.

ACAC, a national initiative of ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning, selected the Schools of Excellence based on their demonstrated commitment to student success and serving as an exemplary model for their state’s college application campaign. This is the third year that ACAC has recognized outstanding schools.

“There could not be a more critical time for us all to support students and educators, and the remarkable reach of this year’s application campaign demonstrates the value and strength of these collaborations,” ACAC Director Lisa King said. “As students continue to recover from the effects of the pandemic, we must do all we can to remove the barriers they tell us they have in accessing the education opportunities that are right for them. We are extremely proud of this year’s School of Excellence awardees, as they are true examples of how communities can work together to help students succeed.”

Each year, ACAC works with designated coordinators in every state and the District of Columbia to host college application events and reach students in their schools and communities, encouraging them to apply to college. Activities to encourage college applications at the 2022 Schools of Excellence included one-on-one mentoring, guest speakers, parents’ nights, and support for pursuing financial aid.

The 23 winning schools were key contributors in helping ACAC reach the following national achievements, as reported by 45 state campaigns on the 2022 annual survey:

• nearly 5,150 high schools hosted a College Application Campaign event
• more than 290,299 seniors submitted at least one college application during events
• approximately 959,178 applications were submitted during 2022 College Application Campaign events.

The winning schools will receive a plaque and be celebrated during virtual ceremonies.

Nationally, more than 4.2 million students have been served by ACAC and 7.3 million applications have been submitted since the Campaign began in 2005.