Not only are Anne Arundel County public schools performing better than the state and national average on the SATs, but more students are taking them.
Ten high schools saw increases in test takers during the 2006-07 school year, with Chesapeake and Broadneck high schools seeing a 10 percent and 1 percent drop, respectively, according to the College Board, which administers the SAT tests.
Annapolis High School saw the highest gain of 41 percent ? 274 students participated this year, compared with 195 last year.
“That was one of my goals,” Principal Donald Lilley said. “I?m trying to get all my 11th- and 12th-graders to take it whether they plan to go to college or not. It?s a test I think everybody should be taking.”
Showing students that their earning potential with a college degree increases has been a prime motivation, Lilley said. (Click here to see the results.)
“There?s always been that stigma for some who think they?re not college material,” Lilley said. “But once they see the results, it opens up their eyes about post-high school education.”
With more taking the test, there is a challenge to keep scores high, he said.
Still, given the surge in test takers, Annapolis High managed to have the sixth-highest average score in the county.
The top county performer, based on the combined mean scores for math, reading and writing, was Severna Park High School. Ninety-six percent of students took the exam, much higher than any other school. Like Annapolis, they saw a 13 percent increase from last year.
“There?s always two goals with the SAT,” Principal Jason Dykstra said. “We want as many students as possible to take the test and not only to maintain but improve our results.”
South River High School, who had the third-highest county scores, also demonstrated success in the scores, with 32 percent more students taking the test, second only to Annapolis High.
“It?s a challenge, but it can be done,” Principal William Myers said. “We want to have our cake and eat it too.”
Principals credited teachers giving practice SAT questions before classes and good PSAT/SATprep course with the great scores.
