This year marks the first year of the Mississippi School for Math and Science’s STEP Club. No, this is not the campus dance team. STEP stands for: Standardized Testing, Examination and Preparation Club.

STEP Club was started by Maliah Wilkinson, a senior at MSMS. The sponsors of the club are math teacher Lauren Zarandona and Nisa Moody, the assistant hall director of the girls’ dorms. Wilkinson started STEP Club with hopes that students will utilize the club to raise their scores, but also appreciate learning more than they may already.

“I hope students will not only increase their test scores, but obtain a better appreciation for the skills being taught,” said Wilkinson.

Zarandona is glad that STEP Club now exists because it creates a support-group-like environment for students to get together and help each other with one of the most challenging things high school students face: standardized testing.

“I think it’s a really good idea. I like that it makes practice time more formal,” said Zarandona. “What makes me excited about the STEP Club is that students are getting together to study and support each other, which makes the task less daunting.”

Moody, who is not directly associated with students’ academics, decided to sponsor the club because she feels that the current standardized testing system is flawed and believes that the STEP club can turn this system into an advantage.

“I personally despise the standardized testing system in America, but I recognize its importance for those seeking higher education. It’s a monster that we all have to fight, albeit some of us come away with a few more cuts and bruises than others,” she said. “Preparation can help some students feel more secure and less anxious. If this club helps even one student, it’s worth the time put into it.”

The purpose of STEP Cub is to prepare high school students with the tools to enhance their scores on standardized tests (with an emphasis on the ACT or another prevalent standardized test during the current time); to increase efficiency in grammatical, mathematical, reasoning and scientific skills to be used inside and outside of the classroom; and to provide a casual and calming environment for anyone attending any club activities to be able to express any skills, techniques or ideas for enhancing test scores.

STEP Club will meet weekly, and is open to both juniors and seniors. The club will focus on the ACT and PSAT, but will also aid in studying for the SAT if there is a high demand. Wilkinson is excited for what STEP Club is to become in its birth year.

“I consider STEP Club to be doing what I can to help others who want to increase not just their test scores like me,” she said. “My goal is to obtain talented teachers and faculty members to facilitate study sessions to help with testing preparation.”