NEW ULM — Area ACT college entrance exam scores remained above average in New Ulm despite hurdles caused by COVID-19.

On average, students at New Ulm High School (NUHS), Cathedral High School (CHS) and Minnesota Valley Lutheran (MVL) all scored higher than the state averages in all subject areas.

Minnesota as a whole earned the highest average ACT scores in the nation compared to all states where 90% or more of students took the ACT exam. The purpose of the ACT test is to measure a high school student’s readiness for college.

Minnesota average for the ACT was 20 in English; 21.3 in math; 21.8 in reading; 21.5 in science and a 21.3 average composite score.

New Ulm High School received an average score of 20.1 in English; 22.8 in math; 23.4 in reading; 23.6 in science and 22.6 average composite score.

Cathedral High School students received average scores of 28.3 in English; 22 in math; 26.5 in reading and 24.5 in science and 25.3 average composite score.

Minnesota Valley Lutheran received an average score of 25.2 in English; 26 in math; 24.9 in reading; 24.7 in science and 25.2 average composite score.

Not only did all three schools score above the state average, the students surpassed the benchmarks in all four subjects.

The benchmark scores are used to indicate a students likely success in college. The benchmark scores are 18 in English; 22 in math, 22 reading and 23 science.

School staff was pleased overall with test scores in 2020; especially since COVID impacted the number of students taking the test.

Dr. Paul Henn, Director of Learning Services at NUHS said the number of juniors taking the test was down in 2020 because of canceled district testing dates. Even with the test cancelation, NUHS saw a high test participation rate. Henn said about 75% of the students took ACTs and most were able to hit the testing benchmarks.

“The school is consistently scores above the state average and benchmark scores,” Henn said. “There were not a lot of dips and dives from past years.”

MVL School Counselor Timothy Smith said the number of students taking the test at MVL was significantly lower from 2019. Last year 52 MVL students took the ACT, but in 2020 only 35 took the test. Smith said canceled testing dates were likely a factor as well as general anxiety regarding COVID. MVL still managed to maintain consistent test scores with previous years.

“Despite the academic hurdles of COVID presented to the students in the graduating class of 2020,” CHS principal Paul Hazuka said. “They demonstrated high achievement. We are so proud of our graduating class of 2020. These results show their dedication to their studies. We are excited to see these students use their God given talents in their future academics and careers.”