NATCHEZ — A couple of points could determine if a college-bound student makes it into their dream school or settles for their safety. So Natchez-Adams School District Athletic Director Fred Butcher said the average of 2.5 points students gain on their ACT score from attending a free workshop is well worth three summer mornings.

The NASD will offer a free ACT course from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday at Natchez High School in the Steckler Multipurpose Room.

Butcher said the school especially encourages any student involved in extra curricular activities to attend.

“(Taking the ACT) is essential for athletes to get a scholarship,” Butcher said.

Along with GPA scores and community involvement, nearly all colleges in Mississippi and Louisiana require students to take the ACT and score approximately 18 out of 36 possible points.

The course is open to all seniors, juniors and sophomores. Butcher said taking the course and the ACT early in high school helps students zero in on their weaknesses and improve upon them by the time they start applying for college.

Lifelong educator Lanny Acosta, who has in the past been popular with Natchez High students, teaches the course, titled Acosta ACT Crash Course.

“(Acosta’s course) is not a boring kind of workshop, in (his) presentation he can relate (the material) to real life situations,” Butcher said.

Butcher said the district in recent years offered the course in two days with longer hours. This year the district chose to spread the course out over three days with shorter sessions in order to engage students’ concentration.

Butcher said the district intentionally scheduled the workshop just ahead of summer ACT testing, which is scheduled June 9.

In addition to the three-day course, Acosta will provide review software students can have free access to for six months, Butcher said.

Butcher said the district has approximately 10 unreserved spots left to fill to reach its goal of 65.

To reserve a seat in the course call the district at 601-445-0368.

Butcher said the district pays for the course using federal Title 1 funds.