Shorewood ACT Scores Slip Slightly, but Remain Well Above State Average

’s average composite ACT score remains well above the state average, but has dropped for the third year in a row, according to data released Wednesday by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Seniors who took the test had an average composite score of 24.4 this year, a slight decrease from 24.7 in 2011. Since 2009 when the district peaked at 25.9, its score has decreased each year.

This year, 109 students, or 82.6 percent of the Class of 2012, took the ACT, compared to 122, or 83 percent, in 2011.

Shorewood Superintendent Martin Lexmond said there's a trend forming in that the district has been outperforming the state average, but also its composite score has been declining over the last few years.

"Anytime we see student performance decline, you get a little concerned," Lexmond said. "The important point is, the students are not where we would like them to be, but it’s good information to have because we can use the data behind it and clarify what needs to be done.

"It’s allows us to go back and look at the curriculum. It’s a starting point. We now have enough data to explore and examine the skills we need to work on."

A bright spot was Shorewood High School senior on the ACT college admission and placement exam this testing year. 

Meanwhile next door, Whitefish Bay High School's average composite ACT score was 25.9, down from 26.6 last year.

Statewide, students averaged 22 on the ACT this year. Approximately 71 percent of eligible students in Wisconsin took the ACT test in 2012, compared to 69 percent last year. Wisconsin’s average score remains above the national composite score of 21.1, among states where the ACT is the primary college entrance exam. The state also tied for second with Iowa in regards of the number of students taking the test.

“Results on the ACT show strong statewide achievement and that vast majority of students are taking a college preparatory curriculum,” state Superintendent Tony Evers said in a statement. “Businesses have told us and research bears out that college ready and career ready both require rigorous high school study. These ACT results also show us that we have work to do to make sure every graduate has the college and career readiness skills they will need for success in the workforce or further education.”

The ACT measures knowledge of English, mathematics, reading and science reasoning during the K-12 educational career. Some colleges and universities use the ACT as an admissions test for high school graduates. Only students who completed the entire test are represented in statistics gathered by the DPI.

Here's a roundup of how Shorewood High School performed on the ACT over the last five years:

Grad Year