Naperville District 203 Students Double State Average on ACT

District 203 students more than doubled the state average of 25 percent on college readiness scores, marking their sixth consecutive year above the 50 percent mark.

Based on newly released ACT scores, 56 percent of 2012 graduates met the four key benchmarks that show readiness for success in the first year of college, a three percent increase from last year.

The four benchmarks District 203 students show competency in are English, algebra, social science and science. District 203 students have achieved 50 percent or better for the last six years, according to a District 203 news release.

“Our graduates have many accomplishments in all aspects of their lives from academic performance to community contributions,” said District 203 Superintendent Dan Bridges in the release. “ACT scores are benchmarks that reflect years of hard work on their behalf and their parents. Most of all, what we hope to accomplish through our work with our students are the principles of our mission. The teachers and staff are doing a tremendous job at succeeding in this goal.”

District 203 students scored highest in English readiness with 89 percent. Students also scored 78 percent in algebra, 77 percent in social science and 63 percent in college biology, which more than doubles the state average of 30 percent. Both algebra and science scores increased by 2 and 3 percent respectively, according to the news release.

District 203 composite scores have remained consistently at or above the 25.0 mark for the last six years and 2012 graduates posted a 25.3 average composite score compared to the state score of 20.9.

's average composite score dipped slightly to 24.2 from 24.5, but still remains higher than the state average.

"We remain pleased with our overall historical trend in ACT scores," said District 204 Superintendent Kathy Birkett in a news release. "Since the state first began requiring all high school juniors to take the ACT in 2003, District 204 has increased its score by an astonishing 1.9 points. Over the years, if we see a slight decline, it provides the opportunity to review core subject areas to assess ways to achieve continued growth."

Illinois requires all high school juniors, not just those who plan to attend college, to take the ACT as part of the Prairie State Achievement Examination. In 2012, 1,370 students from District 203 took the exam. The ACT consists of curriculum-based tests in English, mathematics, reading and science, designed to measure the skills needed for success in first-year college coursework. The test is scored on a 36 point scale.