ANNA, Ohio -- Anna Local High School in Anna, Ohio has been awarded the Red Quill Award for 2008-2009 by ACT’s Midwest Regional Office.

The award was established in 2006 to recognize schools in the Midwest that are taking an innovative approach to improve their curriculum and have shown consistent growth in student ACT scores over time.

Anna Local is one of only two Ohio high schools, in addition to Solon High School in Solon, to receive the award this year, and one of only 18 schools recognized across the Midwest.

“Winning the Red Quill signifies that a school has made significant and measurable efforts to improve student preparation for college and the workforce,” said Galen Johnson, ACT’s assistant vice president and Midwest regional manager.

“Anna Local High School students, parents, faculty, and administration can be very proud of this award.”

Schools that use ACT’s EXPLORE and PLAN assessment programs for 8th and 10th grade students were qualified to apply for the Red Quill award.

To earn the award, schools had to demonstrate that they effectively used the results of these programs to improve the education they provide to students through curriculum and/or instruction. They also had to show consistent improvement in ACT scores over the past five years.

Recipients of the Red Quill award receive a plaque from ACT that commemorates their accomplishment.