SAT Scores 2012: How Did Local Public High Schools Fare?

The SAT scores for 2012 are in, which prompted Florida Education Commissioner Pam Stewart to herald the improvement, on average, in Florida scores, which nevertheless fell below national averages in all three sections of the test, according to figures released by the department of education.

“I am pleased that our students are improving their SAT performance,” Stewart said in a statement. “The data released are proof that their hard work is preparing them for the next step in education and life.”

Compared to last year, Florida’s average score on the critical reading section of the SAT is up five points; the average math score is up three points; and the average writing score is up five points.

Florida’s average scores on the reading, mathematics and writing portions of the SAT — 492, 492, and 476, respectively — were lower than the national averages of 496, 514, and 488.

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SAT 2012: How Did Eastern Hillsborough County Public High Schools Fare?

School  Number  of High  School  Seniors Number of SAT Test-Takers Percentage Average Reading Score Average Math Score Average Writing Score Armwood  402 252 63% 441 446 424 Bloomingdale  565 474 84% 504 515 483 Brandon  510 422 83% 452 456 442 Durant  508 433 85% 466 482 450 Newsome  480 473 99% 518 527 502 Plant City  441 377 85% 444 464 430 Riverview  531 383 72% 467 477 460 Spoto  269 179 67% 443 443 435 Strawberry Crest  300 201 67% 438 462 431 Source: Tampa Bay Business Journal

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SAT 2012: How Did Other Hillsborough Public High Schools Fare?

School Number of High School Seniors Number of SAT Test-Takers Percentage Average Reading Score Average Math Score Average Writing Score Alonso 529 452 85% 452 462 435 Blake 315 189 60% 456 447 437 Chamberlain 458 336 73% 437 452 429 East Bay 434 338 78% 436 437 431 Freedom 505 378 75% 486 501 466 Gaither 472 382 81% 469 477 452 Hillsborough 399 357 89% 477 480 465 Jefferson 379 283 75% 436 427 424 King 398 259 65% 518 523 513 Lennard 324 260 80% 412 437 405 Leto 364 276 76% 410 428 397 Middleton 289 187 65% 419 434 394 Plant 618 587 95% 525 534 510 Robinson 324 297 92% 496 503 484 Sickles 399 326 82% 483 491 465 Steinbrenner 445 410 92% 500 513 487 Tampa Bay Tech 464 417 90% 449 466 443 Wharton 550 422 77% 473 489 466 Source: Tampa Bay Business Journal

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How Do SAT Scores Work?

• The critical reading, writing and mathematics sections of the SAT are worth between 200 and 800 points each.

• An SAT score can range anywhere from a 600 on the very lowest end to a 2400 on the very highest end.

• A high SAT score can help a student get into the college of his choice, earn money for college and even exempt the student from introductory-level classes.

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What Do Colleges Consider Good-Enough Scores?

• The University of Florida requires a minimum score of 460 in reading, 460 in math and 440 in writing.

• The University of South Florida has higher standards: 520 for reading, 540 for math and 500 for writing.

• The University of Central Florida requires 530 for reading, 560 for math and 510 for writing.

• The University of Miami looks for 600 in reading, 630 in math and 600 in writing.

• Florida State University looks for a total SAT score of 1740 (with reading, math and writing scores combined.) 

Students hoping to get into Duke, Harvard or Stanford universities will have to try a lot harder.

• Duke requires a 660 score in reading, 690 in math and 670 in writing.

• Harvard looks for 690 in reading, 700 in math and 690 in writing.

• Stanford wants 670 in reading, 690 in math and 680 in writing.