Prince William County public schools report increase in SAT scores

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores for college-bound seniors in Prince William County Public Schools rose eight points from 2012, in results reported by The College Board today, said the PWCS community relations office in a statement.

PWCS students’ combined scores for the critical reading, mathematics, and writing portions of the SAT increased to 1498, compared to 1490 in 2012; with critical reading results climbing four points from last year, math results increasing three points, and writing scores increasing by one point, according to the statement.

PWCS outperformed the national average in critical reading (507 to 496). Performance in writing matched the national average of 488. Mathematics performance was 503 compared to 514 nationally.

Superintendent Steve Walts was quoted as saying, “These results show gains in all areas, which indicates that our students are on track for success.”

According to the school division news release,  Battlefield, Brentsville, and Osbourn Park scored higher than the state and national averages in all three subject areas. Patriot High School exceeded the state and national averages in math and writing. Forest Park, Hylton, Patriot, Stonewall Jackson, and Woodbridge High Schools exceeded the national averages in critical reading. Two schools – Brentsville and Woodbridge—increased their averages in all three areas, while Osbourn Park High School increased their averages in critical reading and writing, and maintained their average in math.

Additionally, the release went on to say,
Six high schools increased their critical reading scores.
Four high schools increased their math scores.
Three high schools increased their writing scores.
Some bright spots around the county are a 17-point increase at Woodbridge High School in critical reading and a 12-point increase in math. Potomac High School improved 10 points in math. Brentsville High School increased its critical reading score by 11 points.

Among student subgroups, black students showed impressive gains, with combined scores out-pacing peers both nationally and in Virginia. Hispanic students also showed improved results, beating the national performance in critical reading. Asians improved in math; and white students increased in critical reading and writing.

Walts was quoted as saying, “We continue to work toward improved learning and test performance across every school, every group, and all subject areas. Even our best-performing schools have room for improvement, and all schools continue to do more to ensure student success.”

More college-bound seniors took the SAT than last year at Osbourn Park, Forest Park, Stonewall Jackson, and Freedom High Schools.

The College Board reports that the SAT is the nation’s most widely used admissions test among colleges and universities. Each section of the SAT is scored on a scale of 200 to 800, with two writing sub-scores for multiple-choice questions and an essay.