N. Fulton SAT Scores Rank In Top 25 Across Georgia

The Fulton County School System said it has more schools with high SAT performance than any other district in Georgia. That's according to information released Tuesday by The College Board, the group behind the exam's development.

According to the district, seven of its high schools are also among the top 25 highest scoring schools in the state. You can review scores and additional data for Fulton high schools on the system's website.

“The SAT gives our district a valuable benchmark for measuring student achievement,” said Superintendent Jeff Rose, Ed.D. “Fulton County Schools has a record of strong SAT performance, and as a nationally normed test, the SAT allows us to see how our students compare to their peers nationally and locally.”

Changes in the SAT

During the 2015-2016 school year, the College Board released the re-designed SAT which Fulton County students took for the first time in March 2016. The new test has two sections -- Evidence-Based Reading/Writing and Math -- whereas the previous SAT had three sections: Critical Reading, Writing and Math. Both the new and old exam have an optional essay.

Scoring for the SAT also has changed. The old SAT had an overall score of 2400 while the new SAT has an overall score of 1600. College Board officials caution against comparing results to previous years since performance data for the Class of 2016 only includes administrations through January 2016, the last time the old SAT was given (SIGN UP: Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app).

District scores

Fulton’s overall 2017 score was reported at 1051, while the state reported 1050 and the nation reported 1044. Fulton students surpassed their Georgia counterparts by three points in math and an overall total of one point above the state average.

Fulton students also passed their national peers in the critical reading/writing section by six points and in math by one point. Overall, Fulton exceeded the national average by seven points. Here's a breakdown of average SAT scores from each of the district's high schools:

A significant factor in interpreting SAT scores is the proportion of eligible students taking the exam at least one time – the participation rate. For 2017, Fulton County had the second-highest number of students taking the SAT in the state. About 75 percent of all Fulton graduates participated in either the old or the new SAT, with approximately 62 percent of the graduates participating in the new SAT. In Georgia, 61 percent participated in the new SAT, while 46 percent of graduates participated nationally.

Seven schools rank within the Top 25

Although these rankings are not officially released, data shows that seven schools in Fulton are among the highest-scoring schools in Georgia.

• Northview High School – 1227 (No. 3)
• Chattahoochee High School – 1191 (No. 6)
• Johns Creek High School – 1183 (No. 10)
• Milton High School – 1162 (No. 16)
• Roswell High School – 1157 (tied at No. 17)
• Alpharetta High School – 1157 (tied at No. 17)
• Cambridge High School – 1155 (No. 21)

Students meeting College and Career Readiness Benchmarks

In Fulton, 43 percent of students met The College Board’s College and Career Readiness Benchmarks for both the Evidence-Based Reading/Writing and Math sections. Georgia and national peers met the benchmarks at 41 percent and 43 percent, respectively.

According to The College Board, students are considered college-and career-ready when their SAT section scores meet the Math and the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing benchmarks. Students with scores that meet or exceed the benchmark have a 75 percent chance of earning at least a C in first-semester, credit-bearing college courses in relevant subject areas.

The SAT is a college entrance exam that is developed, administered and scored by The College Board. It is designed to test the subject matter learned by students in high school and the critical thinking skills necessary to succeed in college. The test has two sections – critical reading/writing and mathematics – both worth 800 points, for a highest possible score of 1600.

In Fulton County, PSAT testing occurs for students in grades 9, 10 and 11 to help strengthen their academic preparation and to identify personal strengths and weaknesses before they take the test. Free SAT prep classes also are offered online through The College Board.

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