SAT scores from 2022 are out. Compare results for Columbus area schools here

The Muscogee County School District for the fourth straight year has outperformed the Georgia and United States averages on the SAT college entrance exam.

According to the Georgia Department of Education’s compilation of SAT scores for the 2022 graduates from the state’s public high schools, MCSD’s average composite score decreased from 1106 in 2021 to 1059 in 2022, so its margins over the state and national averages were narrowed as Georgia’s average decreased from 1077 to 1052 and the U.S. average decreased from 1038 to 1028.

Columbus High, a magnet school that enrolls students from throughout Muscogee County, and Shaw High are the only local schools that increased their average composite score this past year.

MCSD superintendent David Lewis noted in the district’s news release that 258 more Muscogee students (from 438 to 696) took the SAT in the 2022 graduating class compared to 2021, “making these results all the more gratifying and a testament to their resilience.”

Patrick Knopf, MCSD director of research, accountability and assessment, added in the news release, “As more students move to take the exam, there needs to be a renewed focus on ensuring students have taken the requisite coursework and are aware of the many opportunities for SAT prep through the district and College Board.”

In an emailed interview with the Ledger-Enquirer, Lewis was asked what MCSD has done to increase the number of students taking the SAT.

“School personnel advise students on the recommended coursework to be successful on the test and recommend participation based on the successful completion of that coursework in concert with their post-secondary plans,” he said. “Ultimately, schools and districts can influence, advise and support students, but students individually determine participation, preparation and performance on these tests.

As for MCSD’s decrease of 47 points on its average composite score, Lewis said, “A larger increase of test-takers typically results in a decrease in performance. The other factor to consider is that schools and districts have a smaller ‘N’ or participant size when compared to that of the state and nation, which means schools and districts are susceptible to bigger swings one way or another. However, we can and should celebrate that our students have once again outperformed their state and national counterparts for the fourth consecutive year.”

To improve SAT scores, Lewis said, “As the academic recovery from the pandemic continues and more students resume taking the ACT and SAT, our schools will refocus students on the requisite coursework and remind them of the many opportunities for ACT/SAT preparation provided by schools and through the district.”

Harris County

The average composite score in the Harris County School District decreased by 12 points to 1079, while the number of HCSD students who took the SAT increased from 98 to 145.

“Overall, we were pleased with the scores despite the drop because we had almost a 48% increase in participation and yet still outperformed the state and national average,” Donna Patterson, HCSD director of secondary curriculum, told the L-E in an email. “What I think contributed to the 12-point decrease is the math skills assessed on the SAT. There is considerable Algebra and Geometry, and approximately half of these students were enrolled in Algebra and Geometry in Spring 2020 when not just our school but so many other schools had to engage in virtual learning.”

To help students improve their SAT scores, HCSD offers “quality instruction both during the school day in-person and online tutoring in the evening,” Patterson said. “In addition, our counseling department encourages students to take courses that will help them meet their highest academic potential.”

Patterson figures the dual enrollment classes HCSD offers students to earn college credit while still in high school contributed to the increase in the number of students taking the SAT.

“Though in 2021, the University System of Georgia waived the SAT requirement, which resulted in a decrease in test takers, the requirement has been reinstated for 2022, and we are seeing an increase in students taking the standardized test,” she said.

Chattahoochee County

The average composite score in the Chattahoochee County School District decreased by 28 points to 904, and the number of students who took the SAT dropped from 52 to 29.

ChattCo superintendent Kristie Brooks told the L-E the majority of 2022 graduates selected colleges or universities with a test-optional entrance policy.

“From the pandemic, we learned that doing things for the sake of tradition is not beneficial for children,” she said in an email. “Therefore, we have reduced the demand for all students to participate in the SAT assessment.”

Despite the decline in ChattCo’s average composite score, every 2022 graduate who applied to a postsecondary option received admission, Brooks said, and nearly 70% of the graduates enrolled into postsecondary training.

As a result, she said, “ChattCo will embrace the new focus in today’s postsecondary admissions process. For students whose individual graduation plan includes pursuing enrollment at a university that requires an assessment such as SAT, these students will participate in our on-campus SAT administration day as well as SAT prep for those who will benefit from the additional support.”

The emphasis on education in ChattCo is preparing students for employment, Brooks said.

“We help students in the direction that gets them ready for the real world,” she said. “This opportunity supports our focus that there are many options available for students as they transition into a successful, high-paying career.”

Comparing SAT scores

The years in the chart represent the average scores of the students in that school’s or that group’s graduating class, not necessarily when they took the test. They are ranked here in order of their class of 2022 scores. “NA” in the chart means that school didn’t have the minimum of 15 test-takers for an average score to be reported.

This story was originally published September 30, 2022 at 2:58 PM.

Mark Rice

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

706-576-6272

Mark Rice is the Ledger-Enquirer’s editor. He has been covering Columbus and the Chattahoochee Valley for more than 30 years. He welcomes your local news tips, feature story ideas, investigation suggestions and compelling questions.