ACT scores for the St Joseph School district dropped just a tenth of a point this year compared with last years marks.

ACT scores were released across the country today and  St Joseph students averages a 20.6 out of 36 possible points on the college entrance test.

Last year, the average ACT score for St Joseph students was 20.7.  The statewide average is  21.6 in Missouri and 21.9 in Kansas.  The nationwide average is 21.1 this year.

Of the three high schools, Central had the highest in St Joseph at 21.7 compared to last years average of 21.4.  Lafayette dropped to 20.0 from last years average, dropping three-tenths of a point.  Finally, Benton dropped to 18.5 from 19.2 last year.

“We recognize the ACT as an access point to college and careers,” said Laura Nelson, Director of Assessment. “Our job is to ensure access for our students.”

The top 48 students at the top school, Central, averaged 28.6 as their composite score.  That puts Central on par with the most elite private schools in the state, Nelson said.

“That’s even more phenomenal when you consider that 43 percent of the students at Central qualify for free and reduced lunch,” Nelson said.

The percentage of Missouri graduates earning scores indicating college readiness was highest in English at 73 percent and lowest in science at 33 percent.

Seventy-five percent of Missouri’s 2012 graduates took the exam, compared with 71 percent last year.

Eighty-one percent of Kansas’ 2012 graduates took the exam, compared to 79 percent last year.

ACT scores are used by colleges and universities as part of their admissions process and as part of their scholarship awards process.