The Virginia Department of Education recently released scores for ACT testing in the state, which showed Buckingham County High School and Cumberland County High School falling below the state average in their scores.

Virginia averages were 23.5 in English, 23.3 in mathematics, 24.6 in reading, 23.5 in science and a composite score of 23.8.

According to Buckingham County Public Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Cecil Snead, the ACT Profile Report indicates that the graduating class of 2017 had 11 students take the ACT, scoring an average of 21.8 in English, 19.6 in mathematics, 23.9 in reading, 20.3 in science and an average 21.4 composite score.

“It’s important to note that nearly all score categories for BCHS are at their highest marks in 2017 as compared to the past five years, according to the ACT Profile Report,” Snead said. “Therefore, our students who take the ACT are trending in the correct direction.”

A Prince Edward County Public Schools spokesperson said due to the fact that they had fewer than 10 students take the ACT, they were unable to release an average because it would be almost identifiable.

According to information from Cumberland County High School, the graduating class of 2017 had 25 students take the ACT scoring an average of 19.0 in English, 18.5 in mathematics, 20.8 in reading, 20.8 in science and an average 20 composite score.

According to a press release from the Virginia Department of Education, Virginia public school students outperformed their peers nationwide by significant margins on the ACT this year while improving their performance in all subjects on the college admissions test.

“The percentage of Virginia public school students meeting the ACT’s college-readiness benchmark in each content area was 18 or more points higher than the percentages nationwide,” officials said in the release. “The college-readiness benchmarks identify students whose ACT scores indicate that they are prepared for first-year college English composition, reading, algebra and biology.”

The release cited while the number of Virginia students taking the ACT continues to grow, the SAT remains the dominant college-admissions test in the commonwealth.

“The College Board is expected to release its annual report on student achievement on the SAT late this month,” officials said in the release.