SOUTH BRUNSWICK: SAT scores break records at SBHS

By Ed Birch, Special Writer
   The College Board has released national and local data on the SAT testing of the Class of 2012.
   While the national scores reveal that scores on the three part examination have declined by small numbers, the same class of South Brunswick High School students earned the highest score in school history at a combined mark of 1,680.
   In breaking down the average score, students scored an average of 544 on the Critical Reading section, 576 in the Mathematics portion, and 561 in the Writing section of the examination, according to the organization.
   A school record of 617 students participated in the examination process, Superintendent Dr. Gary McCartney said during Monday night’s Board of Education meeting.
   The SBHS verbal score of 561 represents a 12-point increase compared to the previous year and replaces the school record by 11 total points, according to officials.
   The mathematics score increased by 13 points from the previous year and outshines the highest school record by 10 points, Dr. McCartney said.
   The writing score represents a 16 point increase compared to 2010-2011 scores and exceeds the existing school record by 16 points.
   South Brunswick High School’s 1,680 can be compared to the national average for a public high school of 1,477 in 2012. That breakdown is 491 in Critical Reading, 505 in Mathematics, and Writing is listed as 481 nationally.
   Regionally, the results for New York City revealed a total of 1,458, with Critical Reading at 483, Writing at 475, and Mathematics at 500.
   An average score of 1,550 equates to the College Boards determination that 65 percent of participants would be capable of producing a B- average in their first year in college, according to the organization.