Georgia's class of 2025 has once again surpassed the national average on the SAT, marking the eighth consecutive year of this achievement. According to data released by state education officials, students in Georgia achieved a mean score of 1029, which is 33 points higher than the national average for public school students.
Despite this strong performance relative to the rest of the country, the state's average score saw a minimal decline of one point compared to the previous year's class. Officials suggest this slight dip is linked to a higher number of students taking the college entrance exam during the 2024-25 school year.
Key Takeaways
- Georgia's average SAT score for the class of 2025 was 1029, out of a possible 1600.
- This score is 33 points higher than the national public school average of 996.
- It is the eighth straight year that Georgia students have outscored the national average.
- The state average decreased by one point from the previous year, a change officials attribute to increased test participation.
- The Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology had the highest average score in the state at 1360.
Statewide Performance Analysis
The newly released data provides a detailed look at the academic performance of Georgia's high school students. The state's continued success in surpassing the national SAT average highlights a consistent trend in college readiness assessments.
An Eight-Year Streak of Success
For the eighth year in a row, Georgia's public school students have demonstrated strong performance on the SAT. The mean score of 1029 places the state significantly ahead of the national public school mean of 996. This 33-point advantage is a key metric cited by the Georgia Department of Education as a measure of the state's educational progress.
This long-term trend suggests that educational initiatives and curriculum standards within the state are effectively preparing students for standardized college entrance exams compared to their peers nationwide.
By the Numbers
- Georgia Average Score: 1029
- National Average Score: 996
- Georgia's Lead: +33 points
- Year-Over-Year Change: -1 point
Increased Participation and Score Fluctuation
While the overall performance remains strong, the state's average score did experience a slight one-point decrease from the class of 2024. Education officials have connected this minor drop to an increase in the total number of students who took the SAT.
According to a news release, Georgia Superintendent Richard Woods noted that an expansion of the test-taking pool "sometimes leads to moderate drops in performance." This is often because a wider range of students, including those who may not have previously planned to take the exam, are included in the scoring average.
The report specifically mentioned that the Clayton and DeKalb school districts saw a notable increase in student participation, which contributed to the larger statewide testing population.
Top-Performing Schools and Districts
The data also reveals which schools and districts are leading the state in academic achievement. Several schools in the metro Atlanta area consistently rank at the top, demonstrating high levels of student performance.
Understanding SAT Scores
The SAT is a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the United States. It is designed to assess a student's readiness for college and provides colleges with a common data point to compare all applicants. The test is scored on a scale of 400 to 1600.
Gwinnett School Achieves Highest Score
The Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology (GSMST) recorded the highest mean SAT score among all public schools in Georgia, with an impressive average of 1360. This score is 331 points above the state average.
GSMST is frequently recognized in national surveys as one of the best high schools in the country, and its consistent high performance on standardized tests reinforces its reputation for academic excellence.
Fulton and Forsyth Counties Dominate Top Rankings
A closer look at the top 10 public schools with the highest mean scores shows a strong concentration of schools from two specific counties: Fulton and Forsyth.
Fulton County Schools had four high schools in the top 10:
- Innovation Academy
- Northview High School
- Chattahoochee High School
- Johns Creek High School
Similarly, Forsyth County Schools placed three high schools on the top-10 list:
- Alliance Academy for Innovation
- Lambert High School
- South Forsyth High School
The dominance of these two districts in the top rankings indicates a high level of academic achievement and college preparation within their respective school systems. The remaining spots in the top 10 were filled by schools from other districts, showcasing pockets of high performance across the state.