Cameron Loi
JEM Capstone
Dr. Kperogi
November 13, 2020
ROSWELL, Ga- The Fulton County Board of Education reported a state-wide increase in high school SAT and ACT scores for the 2020 semester. Although schools were faced with many obstacles throughout the year, the Fulton County school board reported an increase in standardized tests in November.
Fulton county did this by doubling down on their efforts to ensure their seniors had all of the tools at their disposal, through test-prep classes and an “apply to college day.” These college days encouraged students who have not filed applications for schools to fill out as many applications as they could in one day. Each school has assigned college admission counselors to aid students in the completion of at least two applications.
“By funding PSAT, AP tests, ACT prep classes Fulton county is providing an advantage that truly differentiates us from our neighboring districts,” said Northview high school principal Brian Downy. “Northview is number two in the state in ACT and SAT scores because of the board’s support, the hard work of our cluster schools, and the brilliance of our students and staff.”
Westlake High school is another awarded school in the district for having the highest average ACT percentage over ten years in the state. Seven schools in Fulton county Northview, Chattahoochie, Johns Creek, Cambridge, Milton, Alpharetta and Roswell are in the top 20 in the state for standardized test scores and five schools saw an increase in their scores from last year, those schools being Independence, North Springs, Hapeville Career Academy, Centennial and Cambridge. Northview, in particular, saw great success in their ACT scoring and student participation, one of the highest in the state.
“Fulton is celebrating a bannered year for its ACT scores,” said Ms. Richards, who is the assistant of the Chief Academy Officer Cliff Jones. “We saw our highest composite score yet, with an average of 24.4, outperforming the other Atlanta districts by over one point.”
When examining the test scores four years prior, there is a continuous trend of scores higher than the countries average. While the upward trend is pleasing to the board members and staff, they do not want to stop focusing on their standardized test preparation for students.
“While we are proud of the work and success that we have achieved, we also recognize there is more work to be done,” said Principal Downy. “Every year, new challenges arise, and every year we double down on our goal of success for all.”
A graph showing Georgia high school’s highest ACT scores on October 22, 2020. (Cameron Loi / JEM Capstone)
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