Four Prairie Crossing students score Carmel scholarships
By Beth Kramer ekramer@stmeidanetwork.com March 27, 2011 10:10PM
Prairie Crossing Charter School eighth-grade students Maeve Daw, Sarah Johns, Ellen Barborst and Elizabeth Erickson. Their high exam scores landed them scholarships to Carmel Catholic High School. | Special to the News-Sun
Updated: May 11, 2011 4:39PM
Four eighth-grade students at Prairie Crossing Charter School scored scholarships to Carmel Catholic High School for high test scores.
The students scored in the 98th and 99th percentiles on the EXPLORE exam. It tests eighth- and ninth-graders on subjects like math and science, and is offered through the ACT program, according to Carmel Catholic Admissions Director Brian Stith.
This is the first year Carmel Catholic started using EXPLORE as its entrance exam.
“Any student who scores that high (98th and 99th percentile) gets a scholarship,” Stith said.
Ellen Barhorst, 13, of Grayslake, and Elizabeth Erickson, 13, of Gurnee, scored in the 98th percentile, while Maeve Daw, 14, and Sarah Johns, 14, of both Grayslake, scored in the 99th percentile. Their scholarships are $750 to $1,000 for their test- score achievement.
Of the 450 students who take the placement exam, Carmel Catholic will end up with a class around 360 students, Stith said.
“I can’t say I’m surprised these four ladies scored so well,” said Prairie Crossing Principal Brian Greene.
Their accomplishment was a culmination of years of hard work and a testament to their teachers’ efforts, too, Greene said.
“I was really excited and surprised (at my score). The test was early in the morning and I wasn’t sure I had done my best. I’m really proud of myself,” Erickson said.
