Wednesday, March 12, 2003
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Wednesday, March 12, 2003 |
| MHS is 6th, FCHS falls to 74th in Ga. SATs
By J.
FRANK LYNCH
While both Starr's Mill and McIntosh high school students raised their statewide rankings of SAT scores in 2002, Fayette County and Sandy Creek high schools plummeted when compared with other schools across Georgia. Fayette County High's 2002 average SAT score was 1001 out of a perfect 1600, placing it 74th when compared to all Georgia high schools. Sandy Creek students scored 1010, putting it 58th overall. Both scores were still above the state average of 975, but below the national average of 1012. In 2001, Fayette High's average score was 1018, ranking it 48th. Sandy Creek scored an average 1032 that year, placing it 33rd. The comparisons were made in the 2001-2002 Georgia Public Education Report Card, recently released by the Georgia Department of Education. In 2002, McIntosh's score of 1103 ranked it 6th statewide on the SAT, while Starr's Mill students ranked 13th with a score of 1084. Both schools saw significant increases in SAT scores from the previous year. Fayette County High's drop in SAT score standings came as its enrollment continued to rise dramatically. At the end of 2002, Fayette High had a student population of 2,208 students, making it the 18th largest high school in the state. The percentage of minority students also grew at FCHS last school year, rising to 24.8 percent of total enrollment. Overcrowding at the school is expected to ease somewhat next fall, when Whitewater High School opens in the LaFayette Education Center across the street, pulling several hundred ninth graders out of the current FCHS attendance zone. Both Fayette County and Sandy Creek high schools held their own when comparing other data, such as passing rates for the graduation exam, dropouts, and those eligible for the HOPE scholarship. In nearly every category, all Fayette County schools surpassed state or national averages. Melinda Berry-Dreisbach, spokesperson for Fayette County schools, said administrators at the county level have taken note of the drop in scores at Fayette County High and are working to reverse the trend. "It's been noted and we are addressing it," she said, without citing specific programs. "We want to see all our students at all our schools succeed." To access the Georgia Department of Education website for detailed information on school performance, go to: http://accountability.doe.k12.ga.us/Report02/.
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