Cape Girardeau Central High School is one of only eight schools in Missouri and 382 nationwide to be singled out for academic rigor in mathematics and science by the ACT Education Division.

Central High School principal Dr. Mike Cowan said the commendation by ACT, a nationwide testing service, validates the academic program at Cape Girardeau's public high school. The high schools singled out by ACT include some of the traditionally best academic schools in the nation, Cowan said.

The eight schools recognized for their academic success in Missouri included six public and two private schools. Only two of the schools -- Cape Central and Jefferson City Helias -- are located outside of the St. Louis and Kansas City metropolitan areas, Cowan said.

Check out Saturday's Southeast Missourian for details.