Who's ready for college - and who's not

COEUR d’ALENE — Preliminary data released Friday by the Idaho State Department of Education shows local charter schools outpaced their traditional public counterparts in average SAT scores this year.

The Idaho–SAT School Day 2018 Analysis Tool allows users to look at average SAT results for the entire state, specific districts and schools, and to compare results from districts and schools.

A perfect SAT score of 1600 requires a score of 800 in the math section of the test and a score of 800 in the reading and writing section of the test.

Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy had the highest average SAT score in the area, 1291, followed by North Idaho STEM Charter Academy with a 1206. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math.

Coeur d’Alene High School topped the traditional public schools with an average SAT score of 1048. Close behind were Lakeland at 1034 and Timberlake at 1028.

Post Falls posted an average SAT score of 1009, followed closely by Lake City High’s 995.

Other schools in the area included St. Maries, 944; Kellogg, 919; Lakeside, 878; Mountain View Alternative, 812; New Vision Alternative, 788; and Venture High School, 784.

The statewide average SAT score was 989, comprised of a 486 statewide average math score and a 503 statewide average evidence-based reading score. According to the College Board, which administers the SAT, a score of 530 in math and 480 on the reading and writing section of the test indicates a student’s readiness for college.

The Analysis Tool data also indicates what percentage of students met benchmarks for math and verbal skills at each school, and what percentage had met neither benchmark.

“Benchmarks are set at a level of performance likely to earn a C or better in college classwork,” explained SDE spokesman Kristin Rodine.

Due to disclosure rules, benchmark data for the charter schools and some alternative schools was unavailable. However, among the traditional public high schools, Coeur d’Alene and Timberlake tied with 43 percent of their SAT test-takers meeting both benchmarks. Lakeland followed at 40 percent; Post Falls, 33 percent; Lake City, 30 percent; St. Maries, 23 percent; and Kellogg, 14 percent.

Sixty percent of SAT test-takers at Lakeside reached neither benchmark, followed by Kellogg, 49 percent; St. Maries, 47 percent; Lake City, 37 percent; Lakeland and Post Falls, tied at 36 percent; Timberlake, 32 percent;, and Coeur d’Alene, 30 percent.

The data reflects all Idaho scores as reported by the College Board, said Rodine. Analysis Tool results will be updated as additional information comes in.

Nearly 20,000 Idaho 11th graders took the SAT college entrance exam in April, added Rodine.

To use the Idaho — SAT School Day 2018 Analysis Tool, go to: bit.ly/IdahoSAT