Published in the November 22, 2016 edition

By MARK SARDELLA

WAKEFIELD — Wakefield Memorial High School student scores on SAT and Advanced Placement (AP) tests compare favorably to the state and national averages, according to a data report that the School Committee will review at its meeting tonight.
The report, issued by WMHS Principal Richard Metropolis and Director of Guidance Arthur Beebe, presents data for the 2016 high school graduates who participated in the College Board Programs during their high school years.
According to the report, students’ SAT I and SAT II scores are counted once no matter how often they tested and their most recent test data is used. The SAT I sample represents a total of 216 students. The Class of 2016 had 251 students, so this sample represents 86 percent of the class. Approximately 90 percent of the Class of 2016 continued their education at a four-year or two-year college.
The WMHS Critical Reasoning mean as measured by SAT I was 524 – 7 points above the Massachusetts mean of 517 and 30 points above the national mean of 494. The WMHS Math mean of 537 was 7 points above the Massachusetts Math mean (530) and 29 points above the national mean (508). The WMHS Writing mean (521) was 15 points above the Massachusetts mean (506) and 39 points above the national mean of 482.
WMHS scores in the SAT II also compare well to state and national averages.
In the U.S. History exam Wakefield’s mean score of 632 was just one point lower than the state mean of 633 and eight points higher than the national average of 624.
In the Math IC test, Wakefield students posted a mean score of 623, one point higher than the state number of 622 and 24 points higher than the national mean score of 599.
Wakefield students compiled a mean score of 685 in the Math IIC test, compared to the state average of 691 and the national figure of 690.
In chemistry, Wakefield the mean score for Wakefield students was 586, compared to 656 for the state and 668 nationally.
Wakefield’s mean score on the English Literature test was 581, compared to the statewide and national scores of 625 and 599 respectively.
In the Biology (molecular) SAT II test, Wakefield students compiled a mean score of 599, with the state coming in at 654 and the national mean at 647.
The report also looks at AP exam scores. In May of 2016, 171 students took a total of 325 AP exams in 23 subject areas. Overall, 74 percent of the grades were a 3 or better. A score of 3 or better is considered for college credit depending on the receiving post-secondary institution policy.
Of the 325 AP exams taken by the class of 2016, 92 seniors took 58 percent of the exams (189). The 92 students represented 37 percent of the senior class.
The report shows that over the course of their high school careers, 39 Class of 2016 graduates took one AP exam. Twenty-seven students took 2 AP exams; 12 students took three AP exams, and 12 students took four exams. One student took five AP exams and one student took six.
The WMHS Class of 2016 received 41 AP Scholar Awards, with an average score of 3.76.
The breakdown was as follows:
One National AP Scholar – Granted to students in the United States who received an average score of at least 4 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on 8 or more exams.
Twenty-six AP Scholars – Granted to students who received scores of 3 or higher on three or more exams.
Four AP Scholars with Honor – Granted to students who received an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken and a score of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.
Eleven AP Scholars with Distinction – Granted to students who received an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.
Wakefield AP students outscored the 2016 Massachusetts, national and global averages. Wakefield’s average score was 3.31; Massachusetts, 3.20; United States, 2.85; and global, 2.87.
The report also shows the data for the number of WMHS students who took AP Exams since 2011.
• 2011 – 104 students took 182 exams in 15 subjects.
• 2012 – 115 students took 225 exams in 19 subjects.
• 2013 – 120 students took 195 exams in 17 subjects.
• 2014 – 141 students took 232 exams in 16 subjects.
• 2015 – 144 students took 250 exams in 19 subjects.
• 2016 – 171 students took 325 exams in 23 subjects.
The report compares the percentage of Wakefield AP students over the same period with scores above 3 to the state and global percentages.
In 2011, 76 percent of Wakefield AP students scored higher than 3 on AP exams compared to 72.8 percent in Massachusetts and 60.1 percent globally.
In 2012, 80 percent of Wakefield AP students scored higher than 3 on AP exams compared to 73.9 percent in Massachusetts and 60.5 percent globally.
In 2013, 75.8 percent of Wakefield AP students scored higher than 3 on AP exams compared to 72.6 percent in Massachusetts and 60.9 percent globally.
In 2014, 80.1 percent of Wakefield AP students scored higher than 3 on AP exams compared to 72.2 percent in Massachusetts and 61.3 percent globally.
In 2015, 73.9 percent of Wakefield AP students scored higher than 3 on AP exams compared to 71.0 percent in Massachusetts and 60.6 percent globally.
In 2016, 77.2 percent of Wakefield AP students scored higher than 3 on AP exams compared to 70.5 percent in Massachusetts and 60.2 percent globally.
The School Committee will review and discuss the report at its meeting tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the WCAT Studio located in the rear of the High School.