Clayton News Daily

A school-by-school chart of SAT scores. Boldface numbers represent where Clayton County students have improved.

JONESBORO — Four of Clayton County’s high schools reported gains in SAT scores in 2012, according to data released Monday by the Georgia Department of Education. 

Riverdale High School led the way with a 60-point jump in total SAT scores from 2011. Riverdale was followed by a 40-point increase at Lovejoy High School, a 29-point increase at Morrow High School and a 25-point increase Forest Park High School. 

Overall, the system showed a one-point increase over 2011 scores.

This year’s scores represent an end to a trend of declining scores since 2009. The average score in Clayton County this year is 1254. Georgia overall had a seven-point increase in scores with an average score of 1452. While the state scores are still below the national average, Georgia is gaining ground. Georgia also saw an increase in the number of students taking the test, which has traditionally resulted in lower scores.

“We are obviously not where we want to be with our SAT scores,” said Clayton County Public Schools Superintendent Edmond Heatley. “Sometimes this process can be agonizingly slow, but we are moving in the right direction.”

Lovejoy High School reported the highest average score in the County with 1314. Since Drew had its first graduating class last year, they reported an inaugural average of 1204.