According to figures released by the College Board, 90% of Atlanta Public Schools’ (APS) 2019 graduates took the SAT, nearly 900 more students than the class of 2018, up 33 percentage points from the previous year. As expected with this dramatic increase in participation, the average total SAT score for the class of 2019 decreased 53 points compared to 2018, from 997 to 944. State and national trends showed slight declines.

The APS Class of 2019 was the first cohort to participate in SAT School Day, an initiative sponsored by Achieve Atlanta, in which students got the opportunity to take the SAT in their own schools, on a school day at no cost to them. The Achieve Atlanta sponsorship paid for all of the tests, thus removing funding and transportation barriers for many students, which is a gateway in the college admissions process.

Four schools exceeded the average SAT score for the nation (1039) and the state of Georgia (1048): Atlanta Classical Academy (1250), Grady High School (1094), Drew Charter (1078) and North Atlanta (1056).

“The fact that 90% of our 2019 graduates took the SAT exam is a perfect example of equity and increased rigor for our most marginalized students, especially as it relates to college access,” said APS Superintendent Dr. Meria Carstarphen. “This is also a testament to APS living the mission of college and career readiness. Our students wouldn’t have had this opportunity to get through the gateway of college admission exams without the support of Achieve Atlanta and we deeply value their engagement and are grateful for their partnership.”