SAT scores up 5 points in Calvert

Friday, Aug. 28, 2009

The press release said that the composite score — which is the sum of the scores from the critical reading, mathematics and writing sections of the SAT — for Calvert County test-takers, was 1531 out of a possible 2400.

The 2009 composite SAT score for Maryland is 1497, the press release said. Charles County's composite score was 1446 and St. Mary's County's score overall was 1559.

The press release also indicated that Calvert County tested 1 percent more graduating seniors in 2009 than were tested in 2008, with 59 percent of Calvert County high school seniors taking the exam, according to school spokesperson Gail Bennett.

The press release also said that there was a 32 percent increase in the participation rate for black students.

"We are pleased that more of our students are taking the SAT because we know that this is the first step to higher education," said Calvert County Superintendent of Schools Jack Smith in the press release. "We are committed to increasing the achievement of all students so they have a variety of options once they graduate from high school."

Patuxent High School Principal Nancy Highsmith said that when looking at a school or school system's SAT scores, one must consider that increased student participation can sometimes result in a lower average score.

"It's a catch-22 because you want more students to take the test but then you'll have more students who don't score as high," said Highsmith, who added she was hoping and expecting Patuxent's scores to be a little higher this year, though many colleges place more emphasis on high school transcripts than SAT scores, she said.

"We think our students perform much better than portrayed on the SAT," said Highsmith, who is hoping to increase student participation in not only the SAT prep courses but also in the practice test or PSAT.

She did say, however, that she was thrilled by the 65 percent of Patuxent High School's black students who took the exam, as this number represents a 29 percent increase from last year's 36 percent.

"We're very proud of that and we've worked very hard with our African-American students to make sure they take the most challenging courses," she said.

Huntingtown High School differed from the other three Calvert high schools in that its highest average score was not critical reading but mathematics, a category in which the school's principal, Rick Weber, said Huntingtown has always done well.

"I think we've got a good math department and a high number of students take the advanced math courses … and that can do nothing but help with that test," Weber said.

He said that he would estimate that out of a class of 400 students, about 240 to 250 Huntingtown High students take the exam as either a junior or senior.

"Some of our top students take it as juniors and then never take it again," said Weber, who continued that his school particularly encourages students to take the PSAT, even if they are not sure they plan on pursuing higher education.

"One, it's inexpensive and two, it gives them so much information," said Weber, who explained that the PSAT not only indicates to students how they might score on the SAT, but also helps staff to direct students into advanced placement courses.

Weber said that, like Patuxent High School, Huntingtown also offers SAT prep courses after school and at lunch.

Calvert High School Principal Susan Johnson said that she was happy with the small increase Calvert High students made in critical reading, mathematics and writing this year.

"Our overall impression is we're making a move in the right direction," said Johnson, who said she saw increased SAT participation in both black and white students.

Overall SAT participation, however, is not as high as she would eventually like it to be, Johnson explained, saying that about 52 percent of Calvert High School seniors take the exam.

"Over the past few years we have encouraged students to take AP courses but the SAT hasn't really been a focus," said Johnson, who continued that she is hoping to put more emphasis on the SAT in the years to come.

"The more kids we can challenge to take tests like that – it only helps with future decisions," she said, adding, "SATs are only one piece of the puzzle; it's not the whole puzzle."

Northern High School did not return calls seeking comment.

lbuck@somdnews.com