Every week at Greeley West, the principal, Mr. Jeff Cranson, and a math teacher, Mr. Patrick Monnier, pick three students who complete 20 hours taking practice PSAT/SAT quizzes and give them rewards.

This is all a result of West’s attempt at increasing SAT scores through Khan Academy, a website that students are able to practice their math and writing skills. On the website, there is multiple practice quizzes that are supposed to help increase actual SAT and PSAT scores.

Because of state requirements, ninth and tenth grade students now take the PSAT test as a measuring tool for their learning.  11th grades take the SAT test, which also helps them as they apply to colleges.  Last year, Greeley West got off to a shaky start.

“Greeley West had the lowest PSAT and SAT scoring in Weld County School District 6 beside Jefferson,” said Cranson. Cranson hopes that getting students to participate in the competition every week will increase scores. Researchers say that doing the practice quizzes online increase scores by as much as 60 points.

As prizes for completing the 20 hours of taking the quizzes, students will receive gift cards and increased scores. Cranson says, “My professional goal is to get at least 50% of students to complete the 20 hours so that by testing time our scores increase. This will help students have increased chances of getting into colleges of their choice.”