Mercy High uses grant for ACT prep

A grant from American National Bank in Omaha will help Mercy High School offer ACT preparation courses to all students for four years, starting this spring with juniors but expanding to all classes next fall.

ACT scores are used for merit-based college scholarships and financial aid, but preparation courses can be expensive, officials at the all-girls Omaha school said. With more than a third of families at the high school qualifying for free and reduced-cost lunch, higher scores will help more students afford college, they said.

"Mercy is committed to college preparation, academic excellence and assuring that any deserving student can attend our school no matter her financial means," said Mercy Sister Delores Hannon, president. "This new effort echoes that commitment, assuring that excellent ACT test prep is available to everyone."