GCS Reports SAT Results for Class of 2012

Guilford County Schools' (GCS) seniors in 2012 earned an average combined score of 964 for critical reading and mathematics on the SAT college admissions exam, according to the College Board's annual SAT report released today.

GCS scores on the SAT continue to trail state and national averages, which are 997 and 1010, respectively. However, GCS student participation rates are higher, with 73.2 percent, or 3,404 seniors, taking the exam in comparison to 68 percent for North Carolina and 52 percent nationally.

Reflecting state and national trends, GCS scores also dipped this year, with seniors posting a 13-point drop in the combined critical reading and math scores, and a 21-point drop in critical reading, math and writing for a combined average score of 1424. State and national scores for critical reading, math and writing are 1469 and 1498, respectively.

GCS scores vary widely by high school, however. Seven GCS schools met or exceeded the state combined average for critical reading, math and writing, while six GCS schools met or exceeded the U.S. combined average for critical reading, math and writing. (See table below for additional details.)

In addition, from 2011 to 2012, two GCS schools - The Middle College at Bennett and Northern High - improved their participation rates and their combined critical reading, math and writing scores on the SAT. The Early College at Guilford maintained its 100 percent SAT participation rate, while also increasing its combined critical reading, math and writing score.

Seven GCS schools increased their reading, math and writing scores on the SAT from 2011 to 2012. These schools are The Middle College at Bennett, Dudley High, The Early College at Guilford, The Middle College at GTCC-Greensboro, Northeast High, Northern High and Southeast High.

"This latest round of data confirms that we're on the right path in terms of increasing students' participation in the SAT, but that we have more work to do in helping them achieve at the levels needed to truly graduate college or career ready," says Beth Folger, chief academic officer for GCS.

According to Folger, the adoption of the Common Core State Standards in North Carolina will increase academic rigor and teacher/parent expectations regarding what students learn and how they can apply that knowledge to analyze data, solve problems and create new solutions.

"Adapting to these new, higher standards and different ways of teaching is going to be challenging initially, but ultimately will benefit students by making sure they're able to tackle college-level courses and more demanding work on-the-job when they graduate from high school," Folger said.

Consistency from school to school in terms of high student expectations and access to challenging academic work also represents an important GCS goal.

"We have pockets of excellence in GCS that rival the best high school preparation available anywhere in the U.S.," says Folger. "Now we need to make sure that those same opportunities and results are accessible to all high school students district wide."