KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Kingsport  City Schools (KCS) has once again scored among the highest achieving districts in the state of Tennessee, according to a recent release of statewide ACT scores by the Tennessee Department of Education.  With a 2018 graduating class ACT Composite score of 22.0, KCS is ranked as the 9th highest district in Tennessee and is one of only 11 districts in the state with a composite score of 22.0 or higher.

 

"It is impressive to see that the hard work of KCS students and educators have resulted in KCS being listed among the very highest achieving districts in Tennessee," said Superintendent Dr. Jeff Moorhouse.  "It proves yet again that the efforts of our educational community have resulted in KCS being ranked among the state's best, regardless of location, socioeconomic status, or other factors."    

 

Across the state, Tennessee public high school graduates improved to an average ACT Composite score of 20.1, with more than 2,000 additional students taking the exam this year, bringing the state's participation rate up to 97 percent - a new record high. The participation rate for 2018 KCS seniors was 98 percent.  The results show that 1,463 more Tennessee public school graduates became eligible for the HOPE scholarship by earning composite scores of 21 or higher. In 2018, 56.9 percent of KCS seniors earned a 21 or higher (or the equivalent SAT score).

 

"To again be considered among the top districts in Tennessee ACT scores is quite an honor, and a direct result of tremendous efforts by our students and staff," said Dobyns-Bennett Principal Dr. Chris Hampton.  "To both significantly increase our ACT participation rate and maintain our standing as one of Tennessee's top districts is a testament to the hard work and dedication by our entire KCS community."  

 

ACT results serve as a nationally normed measure to indicate college and career readiness. Under a new state accountability measure, called the Ready Graduate, earning a 21 on the ACT (or the equivalent on the SAT) one of the four ways that students can indicate that they are prepared for life after high school and able to seamlessly enroll in post secondary education and enter the workplace or the military. While ACT is a survey test that is given in students' 11th grade year and looks at the scope of what they have learned throughout their K-12 education, it is complemented by TNReady, which is a deeper, standards-based test that looks at what students learn annually and provides teachers and families with feedback each year. Together, assessments like the ACT and SAT along with TNReady help to make sure students are ready for their chosen path after high school.

Kingsport City Schools (KCS) is a public school district located in Kingsport, Tenn., serving students in Sullivan and Hawkins county. The district is comprised of 13 schools, including a Pre-K, eight elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, a high school program of choice and an alternative learning program; with total enrollment over 7,700 students. The vision of Kingsport City Schools is to Inspire. Cultivate. Impact. 

For more information on KCS, visit k12k.com, listen live on WCSK 90.3 FM, The Voice of KCS, read our blog, We Are KCS, download our mobile app for Apple / Android devices or call (423) 378.2100. We’re social too; follow us on Facebook (Kingsport City Schools), Twitter (@KCS_District), LinkedIn (Kingsport City Schools) and check out our YouTube Channel (KPTSchools).  

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