GCS Outperforms Nation on SAT; AP Results Continue to Improve
Greenville County Schools’ students are outperforming the State and Nation on the SAT college entrance exam and have increased their passage rate on Advanced Placement (AP) exams by three percentage points, according to information released today by the College Board.
A total of 2,332 GCS seniors from the class of 2017 took the SAT, posting an average score of 1089, which is 45 points higher than the national average for public school students (1044) and 31 points better than the State average (1058). Five GCS high schools averaged scores greater than 1100, while 11 of 14 scored at or above the national SAT average for public schools. SAT Scores for the Class of 2017 reflect a new baseline for the widely-recognized exam, due to significant changes to the test that include moving from a 2400-point scale to a 1600-point scale. The new test features two sections, Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math, with each being worth 800 points.
“Greenville County Schools has accepted the challenge of producing students who are college and career ready,” said Superintendent Burke Royster. “The results released today by the College Board reflect our exceptional teachers, challenging curriculum, strong principal leadership, outstanding Board governance, and the dedication of our students and families. We could not be prouder of these students and the amazing work they did over the course of their K-12 careers to prepare for success at the college level.”
The College Board also released Advanced Placement test results today. AP courses are designed to provide high school students with college-level curricula and feature prominently in Greenville County Schools’ Graduation Plus initiative, which focuses on providing opportunities for students to earn college credit and/or career certification in addition to a State diploma. Students scoring a three or better (on a five point scale) on a certified AP exam are eligible to receive college credit at many colleges and universities. In the 2016-17 school year, high school students in Greenville County took 7,257 AP exams across 27 different subjects. Of those, 57.7% scored a three or better, which translates to potential credit in 4,181 college courses. AP course offerings range from Art History and Music Theory to Physics, Calculus, and Biology.
Advanced Placement students who meet rigorous requirements are also recognized by The College Board as AP Scholars, AP Scholars with Honor, AP Scholars with Distinction, or National AP Scholars based on the number of AP tests taken and the results of those tests. In AP summary reports released today, 990 GCS students were recognized for these honors, while 970 students were identified as AP or National AP scholars a year ago. The report indicates that Wade Hampton, Mauldin, J.L. Mann, and Eastside High Schools each had more than 100 students qualifying as AP award winners in the 2016-17 school year.