Burlington tops state ACT scores

The Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) has released ACT scores for the 2026 graduating class and Burlington’s seniors once again finished at the top with a composite score average of 26.1.

“This new composite score is shocking,” said Principal Autumn Tempany. “I believe the previous all-time high composite score was held by the BHS Class of 2018 with a 24.6, followed closely by the BHS class of 2020’s score of 24.2, so 26.1 by comparison is simply unheard of.” 

According to the WDE’s records, Burlington has placed first in highest ACT rankings seven times in the last 12 years and in the top three 10 out of 12 years, excluding results from 2019-2020 because of the cancellation of the ACT requirement due to Covid. 

“This year’s composite average also ranks as the highest score of any class, at any time since the state has recorded ACT results. This score places our seniors above the 85 percentile nationwide,” said teacher Ryan Olson, who heads up the ACT readiness in Burlington. 

“This is a great honor and something that these students can be proud of. Year after year, our Burlington graduates are showing that they are prepared for their post graduate future. With Hathaway Scholarship money directly tied to ACT scores, this makes it possible for our students to go where they want and not worry so much about how they will pay for it. And for students who don’t have plans to attend college, the test still tests skills that future employers and parents will want these kids to be able to do.” 

Tempany added, “These kinds of results don’t happen in just a year or two of effort; consistent results like these speak volumes about our school as a whole PreK-12 system. What teachers are doing each day matters. It’s both science and an art to help students believe their hard work and grit will pay future dividends in the skills they are earning for employment, where they can go to college and how they can pay for certifications or college classes as a high school graduate.”