Gwinnett Students' ACT Scores Best State, National Averages

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — Gwinnett County students who took the college-readiness ACT assessment last year performed better than most of their peers in the state, and nation.

In Gwinnett, last year's test takers posted an average composite score of 22.3 out of a possible 36.

That's compared to a state average of 21.1 and a national average of 20.8.

"In our schools, our goal is to help students acquire the knowledge and skills they will need to be successful in college and careers," said Jonathan Patterson, associate superintendent of curriculum and instructional support with Gwinnett County Public Schools. "Our students’ demonstration of their knowledge on national assessments like the ACT are an indicator that we are moving in the right direction."

The ACT test assesses high school students’ general educational development and their ability to successfully complete college-level work. The four skill areas that are covered with multiple choice tests are: English, mathematics, reading, and science.

An optional writing test also measures skill in planning and writing a short essay.

More Gwinnett public school students took the ACT last year than ever before. In all, 5,255 students took the test, up from 4,924 in 2014-15.

Over the past three years, GCPS has seen an increase in scores even as more students have taken the test.

A review of local school results show that seven Gwinnett schools increased their average composite scores by .5 or more from 2014-15 to 2015-16. Those schools are: Berkmar, Brookwood, Dacula, Duluth, Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology, Norcross and Peachtree Ridge.

Overall, 10 schools saw increases in ACT scores and scores at two other schools remained unchanged.

To take a look at sch00l-by-school results on the ACT, click here.

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