Douglas Weathers, a 2009 graduate of Alpha Omega Academy® (AOA), has been awarded a prestigious scholarship to the University of Alabama on the basis of his PSAT and SAT scores. In addition to having his college tuition and housing paid for the next four years, Douglas said he is also receiving a laptop computer and $1,000 per year for incidental expenses. We congratulate Douglas for this great personal achievement!

After entering AOA as a ninth grader, Douglas took the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) at a local high school during October of his sophomore year. When he took the test again as a junior, he was automatically entered into the merit scholarship competition and scored well enough to advance to the next round. As a senior, based on his SAT scores and AOA's recommendation, he was named a semi-finalist. Later, he won the full scholarship.

Each year, about 1.5 million juniors in the United States take the PSAT in preparation for the SAT college entrance test and the scholarship competition. AOA encourages all juniors to take the PSAT as a way of gauging their current language and math aptitude for college. Since this test is given only in local high schools, you need to register with a high school guidance office. To locate the school closest to you, visit the PSAT/NMSQT High School Search, select "Advanced Search," and enter your city and state. Although most high schools are willing to accommodate "homeschool" registrants, it is best not to wait until the last minute to register with the school.

High schools will offer the 2009 PSAT exam on either Wednesday, October 14 or Saturday, October 17, 2009, at a cost of $13. Even though you must take the test at a local school, you should use AOA's high school code (163779) for the test. For more information about the PSAT, including practice questions and tips on how to prepare, click here.

David Bauman
Principal, Alpha Omega Academy