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Lone Oak Health Science Students Outperform State and National Averages on Certification Exams

Lone Oak ISD is proud to celebrate an incredible accomplishment by our Health Science Academy students.

During the 2025 - 2026 school year, juniors and seniors who completed the Patient Care Technician (PCT) and Electrocardiogram (EKG) national certification exams didn't just earn impressive industry credentials, they performed at an exceptional level compared to students across Texas and the nation.

When the final results were released, even Dr. Ragsdale, Health Science Academy Teacher and EMT Program Coordinator, was surprised by just how significant the achievement was.

"I knew our students performed well individually, but I didn't realize just how well they are doing as a whole compared to other programs like ours," she said.

As a group, Lone Oak students scored:

  • 23% above the national average for all National Healthcareer Association (NHA) testers
  • 25% above the national average for high school NHA testers
  • 24% above the Texas average for all NHA testers
  • 25% above the Texas average for high school NHA testers

Not only did LOHS students score higher than both the state and national averages, but they scored higher in every testing domain within both the PCT and EKG certification exams.

Industry certifications like these prepare students for careers in healthcare while giving them valuable experience and nationally recognized credentials before they graduate from high school. Earning these certifications is an accomplishment in itself. Performing at a level that exceeds comparable Health Science programs across Texas and the nation makes the achievement even more remarkable.

When speaking about the success of the program, Dr. Ragsdale was quick to point to the kids.

"It's the students. They are putting in the work. It's hard, but they always persevere"

These students have spent countless hours learning, practicing, and preparing for these exams. Their hard work has paid off in a big way, and we're incredibly proud of what they've accomplished.

Congratulations to our Health Science Academy students and Dr. Ragsdale on this incredible accomplishment. We are proud of your hard work, your commitment to excellence, and the way you continue to represent Lone Oak ISD with distinction.