CCSD ACT Average Ranks 2nd Among Metro School Districts

CANTON, GA -- More details unveiled about the 2017 ACT scores released last week by the Georgia Department of Education show all six Cherokee County School District high schools fall in the top 15 percent of high schools around the state.

That's according to information released this week by the school district, which also said its average places it as second among metro Atlanta county school districts (SIGN UP: Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app).

Cherokee County's six high schools showed less than a 7 percent difference in average composite scores, "demonstrating a consistent level of student achievement across the county," the system added. 2017 marks the second year that more district seniors took the ACT than the SAT (and some students take both exams). SAT scores are expected to be released later this week.

Georgia’s average ACT score of 21.4 places the state 25th among the 50 states and Washington, DC.

District students in the class of 2017 shattered previous record high averages on the college entrance exam, and their performance exceeded that of state and national averages, the system added.

The CCSD average ACT composite/total score on the curriculum-based test is 23.2, a slight increase from 23.1 last year and from 20.8 over the past decade; the state average increased to 21.4 and the national average rose to 21. Students earn a score on a scale of 1 to 36; the ACT is taken in lieu of or along with the SAT.

The CCSD Class of 2017 earned the system’s highest-ever scores across all subjects: Reading (24), English (22.9), Math (22.3) and Science (23) – and all of these subject scores exceed State and National averages. The number of CCSD seniors taking the ACT also climbed to 1,688, up from 1,623 the previous year.

“While we celebrate these results, we remain focused on ensuring every student receives the best education possible and fulfilling the responsibility entrusted to us by their parents,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Hightower previously said. “Our country’s public schools provide a vital service to 51 million students and their families, and I believe there’s no greater public school system in our country than the one we have here in our community. We care about your children. We care about your children’s future. We care about your children’s future success.”

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