Submitted photo | Surry County Schools

Pictured are Andrew Chilton, teacher, Celia Hodges, Surry Early College principal, Dr. June Atkinson, state superintendent, and Melissa Atkinson, college liaison receiving the award for the Surry Early College having a 100 percent graduation rate.

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DOBSON —Surry County Schools has remained competitive with state and national averages according to SAT scores released by the College Board and State Department of Public Education in Raleigh, according to school officials.

The results have been announced by school officials as they finalize the system’s annual report.

The College Board released SAT scores this week for the graduating class of 2012. The county system reports overall scores slightly below the state critical reading and writing average and above the state mathematics average.

“The overall successes of the Surry County School System are astounding. I am extremely proud of the teachers, administrators and department directors for addressing the needs of the whole child on a daily basis. The dedication and effort put forth by all students to achieve academically should also be commended,” commented Dr. Ashley F. Hinson, Jr., Superintendent.

The report indicates the Surry County School System’s SAT scores have shown growth over time with a nine-point critical reading increase and a nine point math increase from 2007. The SAT consists of three parts, critical reading, mathematics and writing. The maximum that can be scored on each part is 800 points with a maximum total score for the three components of 2400. SAT tests are traditionally taken by graduating seniors planning to attend college.

The overall critical reading score reported for the 2012 graduating class is 479, math is 510, and writing is 451 with a combined score of 1440, a 14-point overall improvement since 2007. The school district also reports an increase in students tested at 42 percent of graduating seniors, a two percent increase over the past three years.

The total average SAT score, which is all three components combined, for Surry Central was 1420, East Surry had 1402. North Surry scored a total 1407 and the Surry Early College scored 1627. The county school district SAT total was 1440. The statewide SAT average is 1469.

East Surry High School scored a 469 on critical reading, a 496 in mathematics and 437 in writing. North Surry had a 459 on critical reading, 520 in math and 438 in writing. Surry Central scored 471 in critical reading, 506 in math and 443 in writing. Surry Early College scored 553 in critical reading, 548 in math and 526 in writing. The district’s total score in critical reading was 479 with 510 in math and 451 in writing which compares to the state total average of 491 in reading, 506 in math and 472 in writing.

In state-mandated standardized testing for students, districtwide math proficiency remained above 90 percent for the third straight year. This places students in grades 3-8 performing in the top 10 percent of school districts in North Carolina. Since science has been included in the ABCs results, the district-wide science proficiency has increased each year. The overall End-of-Course proficiency remained above 85 percent for the third straight year. This places high school students performing in the top 15 school districts in North Carolina.

School officials also recognized honors earned by the Surry Early College High School of Design for its graduation rate.

State Superintendent Dr. June Atkinson recently recognized the school as one of 28 schools in the state having a 100 percent graduation rate. In addition, the Early College achieved the highest SAT aggregate scores across the Northwest Region.

“It is a pleasure to work with students and staff of such high caliber,” commented Early College High School of Design Principal Celia Hodges. “Our school is honored to accept this award from Dr. Atkinson.”

While the state graduation rate average was 80.3, percent the Surry County School System had an 83.0 percent graduation rate. Of those graduates, 87 percent planned to continue their education in college. Students in all four Surry County School System high schools were awarded $3, 851 in scholarship money.

School officials reported that technology remains an important part of the curriculum for the 8,590 students in the Surry County School System. All of the 8,393 computers in the schools have Internet accessibility. The computer to student ratio in grades pre-kindergarten through fifth is 1:2 and in grades 6-12 the ratio is 1:1, including 1,937 new computers purchased during the 2011-2012 school year.

In addition to academic success, the Surry County School System Transportation and Child Nutrition departments achieved high ratings in their areas. With an efficiency rating score of 99.6 percent, the county transportation department travels 1,313,172 miles with 120 buses transporting students to and from schools. The child nutrition department served 554,448 breakfasts and 1,300,523 lunches in the 2011-2012 school year with an average inspection rating of 101.