One of the biggest concerns for students going into college is whether or not they are prepared for it. This apprehension is completely reasonable for many student want to be prepared for college. However, according to usnews.com, from a research in 2011, “The class of 2016, as a group, failed all four subjects the [ACT college admissions’] test assesses: English, math, reading, and science. According to ACT, American College Testing, only 25 percent of students are proficient in all four subjects. Sixty percent came up short in two of the four subject areas, while more than 25 percent failed to demonstrate proficiency in any subject at all.” These data, which drastically faltered since last year’s, hint at the danger that the class of 2016 may be in; many schools are having hard times trying to get their students to prepare for college.

Just this year, Torrance Unified School District paid for every sophomore to take the PSAT. Unfortunately for everyone else, sophomores were the only students that did not have to pay in order to take the PSAT. There perhaps may be a correlation between the statement from ACT and TUSD paying for all class of 2016 students to take the PSAT. Regardless, TUSD decision to pay for the PSAT is definitely a step towards college preparation. Tim Roland (10) affirms this saying, “The PSAT helped me know what to expect with the SAT” and “PSAT night was helpful too.” Other than West’s aid in its students recently for the SAT, what about its classes and curriculum?

   Some of last year’s graduates gave input on West High’s performance. Grace Hwang, a graduate from the class of 2013, pondered, “some classes at West were beneficial for college, but definitely not all of them.” This brings up the question, does the school support students’ individual career plans? Beau Filipic, a graduate of the same class, was asked whether or not West prepared him for college. He responded, “not really, but I was an underachiever”. Hwang adds “I personally think it really depends on the person. If you are the type of person who always wants to learn more and excel, then I think you can be prepared for anything regardless of how the school is, although some schools are naturally better preparing its students for college than others.” Schools help prepare its students for college, and West, according to the students, appears to be doing just that. But it is up to the student whether they will prepare for their careers or not.