ACT scores up slightly in Beaufort County public schools

Beaufort County public school seniors did slightly better on their 2015 ACT college entrance exams last school year, despite an uptick in the number of students who took the test.

While student participation sometimes brings down scores, the Beaufort County School District's average rose a tenth of a point from 2014 to 20.7.

The number of test-takers increased to 591 seniors, a 6 percent increase from last year and a 67 percent climb from 2011.

Beaufort County test results were also three-tenths of a point higher than the state average of 20.4.

Though the district saw higher test scores in 2013 -- an average 20.8 with 431 students participating -- Superintendent Jeff Moss said the most recent results are encouraging.

"Our challenge is to keep this momentum going so that our students can be prepared for whatever they decide to do after high school," Moss said.

The largest participation increase in the district was at Battery Creek High School, where 33 percent more seniors took the ACT. Scores dropped there from 19.1 to 18.6.

Beaufort High's average remained the same at 20.9.

The three other high schools saw test scores rise:

Hilton Head Island High School's average score increased from 21.7 to 22.

Bluffton High School's average rose from 20.9 to 21.4.

Whale Branch Early College High's average rose from 17.3 to 17.6.

Follow reporter Rebecca Lurye on Twitter at twitter.com/IPBG_Rebecca.

Related content:

• Beaufort County ACT scores decline , August 20, 2014

This story was originally published August 26, 2015 at 3:01 AM with the headline "ACT scores up slightly in Beaufort County public schools."