Clarke County School District public schools received Scholastic Aptitude Test score data from the Georgia Department of Education for the Class of 2024 on Sept. 25. At Clarke Central High School , the Class of 2024 boosted the school’s average SAT score by 20 points, an increase CCHS Associate Principal Dr. Summer Smith attributed partly to an academic elective class preparing students for the SAT. “I do maintain that the SAT prep class is important, so I have made sure that it makes (the schedule) and that kids get in there appropriately,” Smith said. Photo from the ODYSSEY archives
According to Georgia Department of Education data, students in the CCSD Class of 2024 outperformed national and state public schools on the Scholastic Aptitude Test.
With an average score of 1056, last year’s Clarke County School District seniors outperformed national and state Scholastic Aptitude Test averages in public schools.
Of 281 test-takers in the CCSD, the graduated Class of 2024 scored an average of 543 on Evidence-based Reading and Writing and 513 on Math, according to SAT data released by the Georgia Department of Education on Sept. 25. Georgia’s public-school Class of 2024 averaged a score of 1030, while the national average was 995.
An infographic displays nationwide, statewide and districtwide Scholastic Aptitude Test scores from the Class of 2024. Clarke County School District seniors last year outpaced state and national SAT test score averages. “CCSD Class of 2024 students had an average score of 1056 — 543 on the Evidence-based Reading and Writing (ERW) portion and 513 on Math. This was up from an average score of 1029 for the Class of 2023 (531 on ERW, 498 on Math),” a Sept. 25 CCSD press release stated. Graphic by Wyatt Meyer
Across the district, 2024 SAT scores were up 27 points from last year, when the Class of 2023 averaged 1029 on the assessment.
“I’m extremely proud of the academic progress our students are making across the district at all levels,” CCSD Superintendent Dr. Robbie P. Hooker stated in a Sept. 25 CCSD press release. “These scores are just further evidence of that progress.”
Across town, Cedar Shoals High School saw the greatest SAT score increase of the two CCSD high schools, with their 2024 scores up 45 points – from 999 to 1044 – as compared to the Class of 2023. However, CCHS also saw growth, with its students increasing the school’s average score by 20 points – from 1046 to 1066.
CCHS Class of 2024 alumnus Artisan Jenkins took the SAT twice at CCHS. Though Jenkins feels some improvements could be made in CCHS’ education of students before they take the SAT, his score improved after more consistent effort.
“The first time (I took the SAT), I was flustered because I just winged it,” Jenkins said. “The second time, my score increased by 10 because I tried to study geometry and trigonometry in contention with calculus and chemistry.”
“I’m extremely proud of the academic progress our students are making across the district at all levels.”
— Dr. Robbie P. Hooker,
Clarke County School District Superintendent
Across the state, Georgia students’ mean SAT score decreased from 2023, when it was a 1045. However, CCSD students bucked that trend.
“I think that part of what we’re seeing is an exit from COVID-school,” CCHS Associate Principal Dr. Summer Smith, who oversees testing at CCHS, said. “I do think that (these scores) are an indicator that we’re shifting back towards normal and that school is getting back to normal. Kids are doing better and there is more of a focus on achievement, student engagement and preparation.”
