Students in the St. Joseph School District who took the 2017 ACT saw improvement across the board this year.

According to a press release, more than 720 students took the ACT, earning an average composite score of 19.6. That number, up from 18.8 last year, moves to close the gap between the district composite and the state composite average of 20.4.

District scores were higher in every subject:

• English – 19.3, up from 18.4 in 2016
• Math – 18.8, up from 18.1 in 2016
• Reading – 19.8, up from 19.0 in 2016
• Science – 19.8, up from 19.1 in 2016

“The data are encouraging,” said Dr. Marlie Williams, Assistant Superintendent. “The SJSD saw an increase in the overall composite score of nearly a point +(.8), while state increase was only +( .2). The greatest increase was realized in English, with a +(.9) improvement for the SJSD, with the state at a +(.1) increase. The gap between the state and the SJSD composite scores was cut nearly in half as compared to last year.  Additionally, all three high schools saw an improvement in composite scores in 2017 as compared to 2016.”

Statewide, more than 68,000 students took the college-readiness exam, according to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). DESE also reports that nationwide, 60 percent of the class of 2017 took the ACT® with a composite score of 21.0. In the St. Joseph School District, approximately 95.4% of the class of 2017 took the ACT.®