Wakulla High School 2008 Graduates Earn ACT Scores Above State Average

Wakulla High School’s Senior Class of 2008 outscored their counterparts in Florida on the American College Test (ACT) in all areas tested: English, mathematics, reading, and science.

WHS 2008 graduates also exceeded the national average in reading, tied in English, and were within one tenth of a point of the national composite average, which is a combination of all four subject areas.

{sidebar id=1}The ACT consists of curriculum-based tests in English, mathematics, reading, and science designed to measure the skills needed for success in the first year of college coursework.

WHS students averaged 20.6 in English (state 19.0; nation 20.6). In mathematics, WHS was at 20.7 (state 20.0; nation 21.0).

Wakulla High reading scores averaged 21.8 (state 20.3; nation 21.4). WHS science scores came in at 20.1 (state 19.3; nation 20.8).

The overall composite score for WHS graduates was 21.0 (state 19.8; nation 21.1). Statistics are according to the recently released 2008 ACT College Readiness Report (www.act.org).

Many WHS graduates scored higher than these averages, especially since students who earn the one hundred percent Florida Bright Futures Academic Scholarship must score a composite of 28 or higher.

Students can prepare for doing well on the ACT and on other college entrance exams by taking advantage of the rigorous curricula offered at Wakulla High School like Honors, Advanced Placement and college dual enrollment courses.

Advanced Placement courses are high school classes taught at a challenging college level with an internationally recognized standardized test at the end of the course. Students earn high school credits and can also earn college credits through the AP tests.

“We began with one AP course in 2002-2003 and have expanded to ten course offerings for 2008-2009,” noted Superintendent David Miller.

These include AP Calculus; AP Biology; AP Psychology; AP English Language and Composition; AP English Literature and Composition; AP United States History; AP United States Government; AP Macroeconomics; AP Music Theory; and AP Art History.

Examples of Wakulla High School Advanced Placement student achievement are from the 2007 passing score rates for college credit: AP Biology at 63% (state 43%; nation 60%) and AP English Language and Composition at 69% (state 43%; nation 60%).

State and national AP scores are not yet compiled for 2008, but outstanding 2008 WHS passing test score rates for college credit include: AP Literature and Composition at 92%; AP Language and Composition at 78%; AP Music Theory at 78%; and AP Biology at 64%.

“Our graduates are fully prepared for success in college. They can compete on an even playing field with students from much larger districts because of the programs available to them at Wakulla High School,” stated Superintendent Miller. “We have added more and more Advanced Placement courses and college dual enrollment opportunities over the years to give our students every advantage.”

- Submitted by Beth O'Donnell, Asst. Superintendent for Instruction

This information originally published on August 14, 2008.

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