Dacula, Mill Creek SAT Scores Top State, National Averages

Newly released SAT scores show test takers from and exceeded county, state and national averages.

In 2011, Dacula High School students had a combined SAT score of 1525 and Mill Creek students scored an average of 1535. Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) as a whole averaged 1511 compared to 1445 statewide and 1500 nationwide.

Students from nearby Archer averaged 1414 and Mountain View test takers earned an average score of 1481.

The SAT is a college entrance exam that includes three sections -- critical reading, mathematics and writing. It is designed to assess whether students possess the critical thinking skills necessary to succeed in college. Possible scores range from 200 to 800 for each section. The highest possible composite score is 2400. In Gwinnett, students scored an average of 501 in reading, 521 in mathematics and 489 in writing.

Students at Dacula High School averaged 510 in critical reading, 522 in mathematics and 493 in writing. Mill Creek students scored an average of 508 in reading, 530 in mathematics and 497 in writing.

Archer and Mountain View students fell below the county and national averages in all sections. Mountain View students exceeded state totals in all three sections while Archer High School test takers fell below state averages on all sections (see chart).

According to GCPS Director of Media Relations Jorge Quintana, GCPS has experienced a 29 percent increase in SAT participation over the last two years. In 2011, 7,490 Gwinnett students took the SAT.