SAT scores on the rise

0
22

The scores have been tabulated and all three Coweta County high schools showed gains on their average scores for the college entrance exam (SAT) during the year, while state and national averages decreased slightly during the same period.

Coweta County’s average score on the SAT was 1,496 in 2014, an increase of 21 points over the previous year, said school system spokesman Dean Jackson.

“Coweta County’s average SAT score in 2014 was 51 points above the state of Georgia’s average of 1,445 and one point below the national average of 1,497,” Jackson said.

Jackson said Coweta’s average SAT scores place the district in the top 10 percent of Georgia school districts, with the 17th highest average score among the 179 district averages reported by College Board in 2014. Coweta ranks 8th out of the 23 Georgia districts with 500 or more test-takers during 2014, Jackson said.

“Our performance on the SAT reflects an intentional effort from our schools over the past several years to provide students with more advanced learning opportunities throughout their school career,” said Superintendent Steve Barker. “This is helping our students to be better prepared for assessments such as the SAT. Our staff and students are to be commended for this increase in our SAT performance.”

Northgate High outscored the national average overall, with a composite average score of 1,515 compared with a national average of 1,497 in 2014.

While Northgate and Newnan High School saw 14-point and 12-point increases in their average 2014 SAT scores respectively, East Coweta High School saw a 24-point increase in this year’s average score.

Principal Evan Horton was proud of his students and staff for the achievement.

“We have really focused on providing advanced academic opportunities for all students,” said Horton. “We have worked hard to cultivate a culture in which students are not afraid to challenge themselves with rigorous coursework. We have also spent a great deal of time counseling students on what they need to do to be prepared to take the SAT through our monthly mentoring program.