Central High School to host Accuplacer prep for college credits

Central High School opened its doors Monday for an Accuplacer Prep Program aimed at Phillips County students who want to earn college credits in high school. The five-hour session ran from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 103 School Road in West Helena, Arkansas, with RSVP required, giving families a scheduled chance to prepare for a test that can shape a student’s next step after graduation.

Delta Magic’s listing said the workshop was designed for students to earn college credits in high school, and the College Board says ACCUPLACER helps colleges make accurate course-placement decisions. The assessment evaluates reading, writing and math, then helps determine whether students are ready for credit-bearing courses or need additional support before moving into college classes or workforce programs. College Board also offers free practice tests, sample questions and learning resources, which can help students walk into the exam with less guesswork and less anxiety.

The local setting mattered. Central High School is part of the Helena-West Helena School District, and the district says the school’s mission is to produce graduates who are fully prepared for life after school. By holding the prep session inside the school itself, the program kept the opportunity close to home for students who might otherwise have had to travel to a separate college office or testing site. Anyone running into registration trouble was told to contact Mrs. Nance, and Delta Magic said registration was easy.

The effort also landed in a county where those kinds of stepping-stone programs carry real weight. Phillips County’s estimated population was 14,255 on July 1, 2025. From 2020 to 2024, 80.8% of adults 25 and older had at least a high school diploma, 15.0% had a bachelor’s degree or higher, and 29.3% of residents lived below the poverty line. Delta Magic, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Helena founded in 2022 by Drew Smith and Harvey Williams, has also promoted Delta Rides, a free transportation system serving Phillips County residents, another sign that access remains central to how local students reach opportunity. A stronger placement score can help students avoid delays as they move into college credits, technical training and the work that follows.