Georgia Students Excel on SAT with Record Mean Scores

Atlanta, Georgia, September 30, 2025

News Summary

Georgia’s public school students have shown remarkable performance on the SAT, achieving a mean score of 1029 in 2025, exceeding the national average. This is the eighth consecutive year Georgia students have outperformed their peers across the nation. Despite a slight decrease from last year, participation has notably increased, reflecting greater student engagement. Additionally, Georgia has achieved a historic high graduation rate of 87.2%, highlighting sustained improvements in educational outcomes across the state.

Atlanta, Georgia – Georgia’s public school students have achieved significant success on the SAT, recording a mean score of 1029 in 2025, which surpasses the national average score of 996 by 33 points. This marks the eighth consecutive year that Georgia students have outperformed their peers nationwide.

Despite a slight decrease of 1 point from last year’s score of 1030, Georgia’s class of 2025 demonstrated strong performance in both the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section, with an average score of 526, and the Math section, where students scored an average of 502. National averages for these sections stand at 508 for Reading/Writing and 488 for Math, further highlighting Georgia’s educational achievements.

Participation in the SAT has risen significantly, with 55% of the class of 2025 opting to take the test, up from 52% in 2024 and 50% in 2023. Such increased participation is viewed as a positive indicator of student engagement and commitment to academic excellence.

Additionally, Georgia has recorded an all-time high graduation rate of 87.2% in 2025, an improvement from 85.4% in 2024. Noteworthy is that 60 school districts in Georgia reported graduation rates exceeding 95%, while 134 districts achieved rates above 90%. The state’s graduation rate has substantially risen from 67.4% in 2011, representing an increase of 19.8% over that time period.

In specific districts, notable SAT scores were reported. For instance, the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System achieved a mean SAT score of 1006, which, while lower than the state average, still surpasses the national mean. This represents an increase of 16 points from the previous year.

In Richmond County, the mean SAT score increased from 953 in 2024 to 964 in 2025. The class of 2025 in Richmond County marked the highest number of SAT test takers since before the pandemic, with 643 students completing the exam. Numerous high schools in this district have also reported improvements in SAT scores.

The consistent performance of Georgia public school students on standardized assessments like the SAT reinforces the state’s ongoing commitment to educational excellence, with state officials attributing these successes to the dedicated efforts of students, educators, families, and strategic investments in education.

Background
Georgia’s focus on enhancing educational opportunities and outcomes has been a primary objective over the past several years. Efforts to improve academic performance have involved increasing the availability of resources for teachers and students, as well as fostering an environment that encourages higher learning and achievement. The state’s enduring success on standardized tests reflects a collaborative effort among various stakeholders in education, signifying a strong commitment to the future of public education in Georgia.

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Additional Resources

• The Center Square
• Wikipedia: SAT
• WTOC
• Google Search: Georgia SAT scores
• WRDW
• Google Scholar: Georgia education system
• Main Street News
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Standardized test
• WRBL News
• Google News: Georgia education updates

Author: STAFF HERE ATLANTA WRITER

The ATLANTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAtlanta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Atlanta, Fulton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as vibrant music festivals like Shaky Knees and Music Midtown, major cultural celebrations including Dragon Con and the Atlanta Film Festival, and iconic sporting events like the Peachtree Road Race. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, beverages, and retail that power the local economy such as Delta Air Lines, The Coca-Cola Company, and The Home Depot. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAugusta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.