Schools & Sports

A college education is an investment in one’s future. But the costs associated with attending a college or university can vary greatly, particularly based on the type of institution, so it benefits students to shop around. According to a study by CreditKarma, conducted with data from the National Center for Education Statistics, the average annual cost of tuition and fees at a four-year private not-for-profit college in the United States is $33,230, whereas a fouryear public college averages $10,557. Public colleges, also referred to as “state schools,” can vary in price even further depending on the residency status of students. Students who reside in the state in which the college is located can expect to pay that $10,557 rate. However, out-of-state undergraduates at public colleges and universities will have an average cost of $24,847 for the same school. According to a 2021 College Board report, out-of-state students can expect to pay anywhere from double to three times the in-state sticker price. It can behoove students to establish residency where they plan to attend college or to apply to state schools where they live. To qualify for the lower price, in-state prospective students must meet various residency requirements, which vary by school and generally involve living in the state for a certain period of time prior to enrolling. Documentation such as a driver’s license, vehicle registration or proof of permanent primary residence are often needed.

High school students are undoubtedly familiar with the belief that extracurricular activities can help separate applicants when seeking admissions to competitive colleges and universities. But research has long indicated that extracurriculars are more than mere résumé-padding activities. A 2019 study published in The Excellence in Education Journal found that students who participated in extracurricular activities earned a significantly higher grade point average than those who did not engage in such activities. The value of that participation has been evident for decades, as the National Center for Education Statistics notes that a 1992 study found that more than 30 percent of students who participated in extracurricular activities had a GPA of 3.0 or higher, while just under 11 percent of non-participants performed that well academically. The potential impact that extracurriculars can have on students’ academic performance underscores just how valuable such activities can be and how much students should consider getting more involved at school as their academic careers unfold.

College requires a significant commitment of time and money. High school seniors are expected to have an idea of what they want to do with the rest of their lives and then find schools that can help them achieve their career goals.

Standardized tests remain a significant part of the academic experience for millions of students at all grade levels. Though many colleges and universities no longer require the SAT or ACT for admission, experts note that many of those schools still value such tests and how applicants who choose to take them perform.

WITH LUKE CLAYTON

The Forney Lady Rabbits defeated the Lancaster Lady Tigers in front of a packed-out Jackrabbit Gymnasium. Coming into the game, the two teams sat tied for fourth place in the district standings.

DEER SEASON, IT’S A WRAP

WITH LUKE CLAYTON

A court sport is sweeping the nation, and it isn’t tennis or basketball. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, 4.8 million people played pickleball in 2021, marking a nearly 15 percent growth in the total number of players from the year prior.

It Wasn’t That Long Ago!

The streets in downtown Crandall were lined with parents, students, CISD administration, and plenty of locals to send the Pirates off in fashion. Both police and fire escorted the buses out of town and stopped for high fives and confetti cannons in front of the police station. The Pirates were headed forty minutes down the road to Grand Prairie where they would take on Midlothian Heritage.

It was a cold rainy day as the Pirates loaded the charter buses for Marshall, Texas. Crandall would be taking on the 6-4 Marshall Mavericks in an exciting first round playoff matchup. The Mavericks are a run heavy team and would test the Pirates defensive line all night. The weather would test both teams as a heavy mist came down the entire game.

The Forney Jackrabbits and some very dedicated fans made the four-hour road trip all the way to Mount Belvieu, Texas last Friday night for their firstround playoff matchup against the Barbers Hill Eagles. Forney entered the Houston area game after dismantling Tyler at home in their regular season finale the week before, 57-13. Barbers Hill came into the game led by their potent offense after a 28-20 win against the Porter Spartans from Porter, Texas the previous Friday.