Students at Central High School logged the district’s highest SAT scores ever on this year’s test, topping 1700 and besting state and national averages by 200 points.

The average combined score was 1709, up 23 points from last year’s 1,686. Increases were registered in all three sections of the test. Math was up 10 points, to 589; and critical reading and writing climbed 7 and 6 points, respectively, to 561 and 559.

Statewide, this year’s average SAT score was 1505. In math, it was 513, while critical reading and writing came in at 501 and 493. Nationally, the combined average score was 1509.

“These are outstanding results and we could not be more proud of our students,” said Principal Mike Daher.

The news from the College Board, which administers the test, is the second respected indicator of strong student achievement at CHS in recent weeks. Earlier this month the Board reported that student performance on the rigorous Advanced Placement tests hit an all-time high, with 96.5% scoring a grade of 3 or better. The tests, which earn students credit at most four-year colleges and universities, also drew a record number of takers. Nearly 200 students took the tests this year, up from a typical 150 to 160.

One-third of the test-takers – 65 – performed well enough to earn coveted distinction as AP Scholars. Traditionally, fewer than 20% of the 1 million-plus students who take the tests worldwide earn AP Scholar status. Students must pass a minimum of 3 AP exams a year in order to receive the honor.

AP Scholar recognition is tiered, according to scores and number of exams taken. Winning the top title of AP National Scholar was Edward Wang, who took nine exams and scored a 5 on all but one. AP exams are graded on a scale of 1 to 5.

Seventeen other students collected Scholar with Distinction honors for taking at least five exams and scoring an average of at least 3.5. They were Christopher Babecki, Catherine Bhaskar, Anura Deshmukh, Laura Feibush, Keven-Cem Gungor, David Hill, Kelsey Johnson, Laura McGill, Gemma Milly, Alexandra Murr, Frederick Neary, Samantha Nussbaum, Michael Ornstein, Bianca Ryseck, Samik Shah, Matthew Strumph and Sijia Zhao.

The 23 students named Scholars with Honor were Payal Antala, Kristen Brouwer, Kathryn Cassavell, William Franz, Darcy Glenn, Ross Holley, Fatima Jaferi, Evan Lang, Kristen Lawlor, Gabriel Lewin, Nicholas Maida, Andrew McQueary, Rachel Norris, Samantha Rodney, Stephan Sansone, Matthew Schwartz, Rose Siuta, Avanti Suresh, Eric Tengi, Samantha Turner, Emily Vite, Noah Wasserman and Rui Yu.

The remaining 25 students earned Scholar status for earning scores of 3 or higher on at least three exams. They were Kaitlin Abrams, Faraz Afridi, Matthew Aldridge, Ophelia Bernardino, Christina Boyce-Jacino, Anna Bruestle, Yujie Chang, Megan Dunne, Christopher Greco, Scott Hemley, Sarah Hirsh, Ashley Hogan, Jennifer Liu, Robinson Meyer, Todd Nixon, Colin Ogren, Samantha Orlando, Jennifer Pfaff, Katherine Richards, Chelsea SanFilippo, Patricia Sherrard, Eva Truyen, Michael Tsarouhas, Ingrid Wang and Hannah Yue.