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Tomball High School has received the 2012 College Readiness Award from the Texas ACT Council for increasing the number of students taking the ACT Assessment over the past five years and significantly increasing the level of achievement and college readiness.

"It is an honor for our campus to be recognized," Greg Quinn, principal of Tomball High School, said.  "We have encouraged students to take more rigorous coursework, which has resulted in an increase in the number of students taking the ACT.  They're prepared and they're performing well.  We're very proud of them." 

The Texas ACT Council is comprised of secondary and postsecondary educators who advise ACT, Inc. on the utilization of ACT programs and services in Texas schools and colleges. 

Karen Pennell, assistant vice president and ACT southwest regional manager, explained that the Texas ACT Council wanted to recognize Texas high schools that have made significant strides in increasing the college and career readiness of their graduates as demonstrated by an increase in their ACT scores over the past five years. 

"This can only happen as a result of the efforts of the faculty and staff and the dedication of Tomball High School students and parents as they focus on raising the level of academic readiness for all students," Pennell said.

Only 170 high schools in Texas were honored for this accomplishment, which represents only nine percent of all Texas high schools. 

Pictured are (from left) Waller High School seniors Paige Pederson and Yndalecia Ojeda, who were selected as National Hispanic Recognition Program recipients. The prestigious academic honor is considered when scholarships are awarded. The students must be at least one-quarter Hispanic/Latino, meet the minimum PSAT/NMSQT cutoff score and achieve a 3.5 or higher cumulative grade point average (GPA).