@ga19tex Forgive me for not knowing the specifics. Do the schools (like MS State) superscore? If so, then have you r son study his you know what off, but focus one two of the four sections. Work the numbers to see which sections are the intersection of “can go up and get the superscore” and “he likes enough to study”. But ONLY do that if raising the ACT will make a difference.
Also…and again if you have already done this forgive me…but I’m in MA as well so you probably have two more weeks of the semester. Get in there ASAP and talk to the counselor and Dean and explain the situation and advocate like hell for your son. Can he do a little extra work to bump a C+ to a B- or a B- to a B. Anything. Just lay it on the line…you are trying to get him into a school he wants to go to AND you can afford. It doesn’t hurt to ask.
Again, if you have done all this already, forgive me. But I’m in a battle with our MA high school for my S19 as well…so my Irish is up. Best of luck to you and your son. And PM me if you want to brainstorm a little. Happy to help.