By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — Lynnfield High’s SAT scores improved last year, Principal Patricia Puglisi said during a recent School Committee meeting.
The SAT exam grades students on two different sections, and students can receive a maximum score of 1,600. The test includes an evidence-based reading portion that includes an optional writing component (ERW) along with the math exam.
Puglisi said 119 members of the LHS Class of 2023 took the SAT exam during their junior year.
“There were concerns last year that the scores dipped,” said Puglisi. “We saw a great rebound this year.”
Puglisi said the Class of 2023 received a mean score of 580 on the ERW exam, which was higher than the Class of 2022’s mean score of 552. The Class of 2023’s ERW exam mean score was higher than the state average of 560 and the national average of 541.
“Forty-two percent of LHS test-takers scored a 600 or better on the ERW portion of the SAT, putting them in the 73rd percentile or above of all test-takers,” said Puglisi. “And 90 percent of our test-takers met the evidence-based reading and writing benchmark, which indicates full college readiness.”
Puglisi said the Class of 2023’s average mean score on the math section equaled 584, which was higher than the Class of 2022 average mean score of 560. The LHS Class of 2023’s math exam mean scores surpassed the state average of 551 and the national average of 533.
“Forty-two percent of LHS test-takers scored a 600 or better on the math portion of the SAT, putting them in the 76th percentile of all test-takers,” said Puglisi. “Seventy-four percent of all test-takers met math benchmarks.”
Puglisi said the LHS Class of 2023’s SAT results represented “strong outcomes.”
“Our students have the ability to synthesize information and write,” said Puglisi. “Those are two important skills.”
School Committee member Phil McQueen was pleased that the high school’s SAT exam scores increased.
“I think the correlation between greater student access to Advanced Placement tests is reflected in the SATs,” said McQueen. “If you look at AP Language, the SAT is basically an easier version of that. I think there is definitely a correlation between opening up the AP gates, which is going to have a knock-on effect on the SAT scores. More colleges are becoming test-optional. If you do well on the SATs, you send that in and it makes your application look better.”
School Committeeman Jamie Hayman inquired if the SAT exam is “still relevant.”
While Puglisi said more colleges and universities are becoming test-optional, she said the SAT is still important.
“If you are applying to schools and have a strong transcript and strong scores, that is an enhancement for you,” said Puglisi.
If a student struggles taking standardized tests, Puglisi said it is important for those students to have “a really strong transcript.”