Congrats to DeKalb schools for impressive rise in SAT scores. Outpaces state.

Many folks here contend that middle-class families are fleeing DeKalb schools. If so, then the district’s leap in SAT scores — which are closely aligned with socioeconomics — is even more impressive.

DeKalb’s jump in scores outpaces the state’s increase.

From the district today:

The DeKalb County School District posted a nine-point gain in SAT scores in 2012, with broad gains across the school district and a strong performance among African American and Hispanic students in mathematics and writing.

DCSD seniors earned an average combined score of 1343 for critical reading, writing and mathematics on the College Board’s annual SAT report issued this week. DeKalb’s nine-point gain, almost double the statewide average, came with nearly the same number of students — 4,099 versus 4,144 — taking the test.

“These gains are impressive and shows how we can accomplish more if keep our focus on educating children and implementing a new curriculum,” said Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Atkinson. “With a priority focus on student achievement and parents, educators and civic leaders working together, we can consistently achieve these results.”

Five DCSD schools exceeded the national and state combined average for critical reading, math and writing: Chamblee High, DeKalb Early College, DeKalb School of the Arts, Dunwoody High and Lakeside High. And six schools doubled the stateís gains: McNair (75), Redan (41), Cedar Grove (40), Tucker (35), Miller Grove (18) and Stone Mountain (21).

The biggest overall improvement? Twenty seniors combined to score an astounding 112-point gain at Elizabeth Andrews High.

• Hispanics scored their highest in critical reading and writing in three years, adding at least 13 points in each, far outperforming state and national gains. · African Americans posted a six-point gain in mathematics, their biggest in four years, outperforming both the state and the nation.

• The overall gains of female test-takers exceeded those of the state and nation, and DeKalb’s male students scored at or above state and national levels in critical reading and mathematics.

“Shifting our strategy to generate greater student achievement has made a significant difference in a short time,” said Atkinson. “But we’ll need all the necessary ingredients to keep improving: a new curriculum to challenge and inspire our students, and parents, educators and leaders continuously working together. When we keep our focus on our students, we will achieve victory in every classroom.”

–From Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog