Test scores increase in District 200

Recent high school graduates helped lead Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200 to its highest overall composite score on the ACT in the past five years.

The district's Class of 2010, which took the ACT last year along with some juniors, received a composite score of 24.4 on the college entrance exam's 36-point scale, according to stats released this week.

That score represents "a significant improvement" from the previous graduating class, which tallied 24.0, officials said. The state average is 20.7.

Looking at District 200's high schools, Wheaton North students posted an overall average score of 24.5, just slightly higher than students at Wheaton Warrenville South, who garnered an average score of 24.3.

District officials said both schools have shown continuous improvement during the past five years.

"Our mission is to inspire a high level of achievement for our students," Superintendent Brian Harris said in a statement. "These ACT scores confirm those efforts."

Officials said the ACT composite score is comprised of sub-scores in four academic areas: science, reading, mathematics and English.

Both high schools showed improvement in all the sub-tests. Wheaton North posted the largest gains of .7 in English and mathematics. The English and mathematics scores for the school are 24.6 and 24.7, respectively.

Officials said the district has made an effort to provide a more rigorous curriculum at the elementary and middle schools.

Margo Sorrick, the assistant superintendent for educational services, said the ACT scores are a tribute to all the teachers in the district.

"While the high schools have done a marvelous job at preparing and educating students," Sorrick said, "these ACT scores demonstrate that our students are coming to the highs schools from our elementary and middle schools well prepared to meet the standards of secondary education and beyond."