Staff writer
The five school districts in Marion County released their average ACT scores for the class of 2009.
The Kansas average scores are 21.8 in science, 21.4 in English, 21.7 in math, and 22.4 in reading with a composite score of 21.9. The national averages are 20.9 in science, 20.6 in English, 21 in math, 21.4 in reading with a composite of 21.1
Marion High School had 28 students take the test. MHS students averaged 22 in science, 21.8 in English, 21.9 in math, and 22.1 in reading. Their composite score was 22.1. Last year, Marion High School’s composite score was 21.4.
Hillsboro High School had 42 students take the test. They averaged 24.2 in science, 22.8 in English, 24.5 in math, and 24.2 in reading with a 24.1 composite score. HHS had the highest scores of any district. Last year, they scored a composite average of 24.6. Hillsboro High School’s composite average over five years is 24.8.
“Our highest was 25.1 and that was with 50 kids taking it two years ago,” HHS principal Max Heinrichs said. “We had 42 students out of 48 take the test.”
Goessel High School had 15 students take the ACT. Those students averaged 22.7 in science, 23.6 in English, 22.1 in math, and 24.5 in reading with a composite average of 23.3. Goessel High School’s composite average last year was 22.
“We have good teachers and good kids,” Goessel High School guidance counselor Janna Duerksen said.
Centre High School had 13 students take the test. They averaged scores of 21.4 in science, 18.8 in English, 19.8 in math, and 20 in reading with a composite score of 20.2. Centre High School’s composite average last year was 20.6.
“We’re looking at it; we’re not exactly pleased,” Centre guidance counselor Lacy Wallace said. “I’m giving the Explore ACT test to the Freshmen and the PLAN ACT to the sophomores. We’re going to increase the rigor of our classes.”
Peabody-Burns High School had 16 students take the test. Those students averaged 22.5 in science, 21.9 in English, 21.3 in math, and 21.4 in reading with a composite of 22.2. Peabody-Burns High School’s composite average last year was 21.1