By Sara Drake

4-H Extension Agent

Students planning to take the ACT can now make sure they’re prepared by enrolling in the ASPIRE program. ASPIRE is offered in Rowan, Cabarrus and Stanly counties and teaches students the latest tactics and strategies to improve their ACT scores.

The ASPIRE program is designed to bridge deficits in rural high school students’ performance on the ACT in order to increase the number of students pursuing higher education in agriculture. This is a cooperative initiative through the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University and North Carolina Cooperative Extension.

The program includes The Princeton Review ACT study manual, The Princeton Review 1,460 practice question manual, four ACT full-length practice exams with score analysis and breakdown, the selective college admissions booklet and 30 hours of class time instruction where students will learn the skills they need to be able to tackle the ACT.

ASPIRE classes start on Jan. 2 and are $165 with up to a $100 refundable deposit based on attendance. ASPIRE classes will be held at the Mt. Pleasant Library in Cabarrus County. The deposit is refunded at the completion of the course.

Visit http://harvest.cals.ncsu.edu/aspire for more information or to apply for the program.  If you have any additional questions, please contact Sara Drake  at 704-216-8970 or sara_drake@ncsu.edu