Alachua County students are tops in the state this year on the SAT, the nation’s primary college entrance exam. They also score significantly higher than their peers across the nation.

According to a report from The College Board, which administers the SAT nationwide, Alachua County’s average total score on the SAT was 1613, the highest overall score of any district in Florida and far above the state average of 1489.

Local students were also ranked first in the state in all three categories of the exam. Alachua County’s average reading score was 537, compared to the state average of 496. The district’s math score was 553 and the writing score was 523, compared to the state averages of 497 and 481 in those categories.

“I’m so proud of our students and their teachers,” said Superintendent Dan Boyd. “Obviously our students are getting a top-notch education and they’re certainly taking advantage of it.”

In a year when the statewide average score went up just two points overall, Alachua County’s total score was up 23 points. Alachua County Public School officials say the district’s strategy of encouraging more students to take the most challenging courses possible continues to pay dividends.

“We find that most students will rise to the challenge of those more rigorous courses,” said Sandi Anusavice, who directs the district’s secondary curriculum program. “As a result they’re better prepared, not just for the SAT, but for college classes.”

Local students also continue to outperform their peers nationwide. Alachua County’s average scores were well above the national scores of 502 in reading, 515 in math and 494 in writing. National scores did not increase at all this year.