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Communities
Black Hills ACT Scores Reflect Focus on College Preparation
Most Smaller Districts Have a Lower Percent of Students Taking the Test
Scores on the ACT test provide an indication of how well school districts are preparing students for college. In general, students in districts in the Black Hills are beating state and national averages, but some smaller, rural districts are struggling. In 2011, Spearfish led the region with an average composite score of 22.76. The New Underwood School District had the highest percentage of test-takers compared to the number of graduates.
Across the country, college-bound students generally take either the SAT or ACT exam. In the Midwest, the ACT is far more popular, as indicated by the percentage of students in South Dakota who take the ACT compared to the nation.
In general, smaller, rural districts in the Black Hills are not keeping pace with the rest of the state in the percent of students taking the test. These lower percentages may indicate lower rates of transition from high school to college.
|
Average Composite Score in 2011 |
Number of Students Tested |
Test-Takers as a Percent of Graduating Class |
|
|
National |
21.10 |
49% |
|
|
South Dakota |
21.80 |
81% |
|
|
Wyoming |
20.30 |
100% |
|
|
Belle Fourche |
20.52 |
54 |
60% |
|
Custer |
22.33 |
36 |
50% |
|
Douglas |
22.51 |
77 |
57% |
|
Edgemont |
not reported |
5 |
|
|
Faith |
17.82 |
11 |
45% |
|
Hill City |
20.04 |
28 |
67% |
|
Hot Springs |
21.17 |
41 |
65% |
|
Lead-Deadwood |
21.60 |
40 |
63% |
|
Meade |
21.62 |
102 |
70% |
|
New Underwood |
19.21 |
14 |
93% |
|
Newell |
21.87 |
15 |
|
|
Oelrichs |
not reported |
8 |
67% |
|
Rapid City |
22.11 |
578 |
85% |
|
Spearfish |
22.76 |
105 |
71% |
|
Wall |
21.04 |
23 |
74% |
Source: South Dakota Department of Education, District Profiles; ACT.
