The Westlake High School class of 2018 received the highest average American College Test composite score in the school's history, surpassing both state and national averages, Superintendent Tom Leonard said to the board of trustees Tuesday.

Westlake students' average: 27.8
State average: 20.6
National average: 20.8
Previous highest Westlake score: 27.3 in 2014

“While no single measurement can evaluate success, our students’ progress on the ACT shows our emphasis on college-ready and college-successful students is working,” Westlake High School Principal Steve Ramsey said in a press release. “We attribute this success to all of the dedicated teachers who play such a valuable role in our students’ achievements and to our students who come to campus every day ready to learn.”

The release said 72 percent of Westlake High School students met the ACT college-readiness benchmark scores in all four subject areas, compared to 25 percent statewide.

By subject, college-readiness percentages were as follows, with the state average noted parenthetically:

97 percent ACT English (56)
86 percent ACT Algebra (39)
85 percent ACT Social Science (44)
82 percent ACT Biology (35)

College readiness benchmark scores on the above ACT subject-area tests represent the level of achievement required for students to have a 50 percent chance of obtaining a B or higher or about a 75 percent chance of obtaining a C or higher in corresponding credit-bearing first-year college courses, the release said.

Westlake High School had 434 students take the ACT, down from 486 students in 2017.