Atlanta students improve ACT test scores but still lag state

The most-recent Atlanta Public Schools graduates did better on the ACT than their predecessors, but the district still lags behind state and national averages, according to results released this week.

APS reported that 1,701 members of its 2017 graduating class took the college-entrance exam and received an average composite score of 19, up from 18.6 last year. This year's statewide average is 21.4. The national average is 21.

A perfect ACT score is a 36.

Grady High School posted the highest score among Atlanta’s high schools, with a 23.2. North Atlanta High School came in second with a 22.4, followed by Drew Charter School, Kipp Atlanta Collegiate, and Carver Early College.

The lowest-scoring APS school in which at least 15 students were tested is Carver Tech, with a score of 15.

The Atlanta school district highlighted its progress in closing the gap between APS students and students from across the state. In 2013, APS students fell 3.1 points below the statewide average. This year, APS scored 2.4 points below Georgia’s average, according to a report from the school district.

The 2017 Atlanta graduates who took the test also posted higher scores in all ACT subject areas than the previous class.

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