WKU News

The Gatton Academy’s Class of 2016, who are currently juniors in high school, took the ACT in March and the scores have now been reported with Seth Marksberry earning a perfect score of 36.

“The Gatton Academy students put together their previous experiences at their home high schools with the coursework they complete at Western Kentucky University to reach high levels on the ACT,” said Dr. Lynette Breedlove, Director of The Gatton Academy. “While they specialize in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, their high composite scores reflect strong performances in English and reading as well.”

As mandated by KRS 158.6453, all of Kentucky’s public school juniors participate in the ACT, which assesses English, reading, mathematics and science and is scored on a scale of 1 to 36.

Thirty-seven students (or 62 percent) of the juniors increased their ACT composite score and 12 of these students (or 20 percent) increased their composite score by three points or greater.

Marksberry of Owensboro, the son of Tracy McQueen and John Marksberry Jr., earned a perfect score on the March ACT. On average, less than one-tenth of 1 percent of all test takers earns the top score. Although the numbers are not known for this year, last year’s graduating class had only 1,407 perfect test scores out of the 1.85 million students who took the test.

“We are certainly proud of Seth’s remarkable achievement,” Dr. Breedlove said. “He is a sincere, personable young man who contributes to The Gatton Academy community in meaningful ways.”