CANTON — Cherokee County’s Class of 2012 earned the highest ACT scores in the district’s history, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo said in a release Wednesday.

Their achievement marks the third consecutive year of increased performance on the college entrance examination, which tests in the subject areas of English, mathematics, reading and science reasoning.

All Cherokee County School District high schools scored above the national average on the curriculum-based test, which is taken mostly by seniors either in conjunction with or in lieu of the SAT Reasoning Test.

The school system’s average ACT composite score has climbed to 22.7 from 20.8 over the past decade, which Petruzielo said is more evidence of the clear trend of rising student achievement and teacher performance.

The test is scored on a scale of one to 36.

More district students are also participating in the test, with 1,160 tests administered during the last school year compared to 1,053 the previous year.

“Achievement on college entrance and placement examinations is of great importance to CCSD, as we want every student to have as many options as possible for their pursuit of higher education,” Petruzielo said. “This continued, outstanding progress by our students is further evidence of our students’ college and career readiness and the dedication of our teachers, administrators and parents to ensure that every student masters the vital knowledge needed in order to excel in their future education and careers.”

The school district’s average composite score increased four-tenths of a percentage point from last year to 22.7, which is higher than both state and national average composite scores.

By school, the highest ACT average scores in English and math were at Etowah High at 22.9 and 23.1, respectively. For the math portion of the test, the highest average was seen at Sequoyah High, at 23.1. In reading, Sequoyah also had the highest average, at 23.9.

Sequoyah had the highest composite average score of 23.3.

Petruzielo said all principals will review their school’s respective scores to determine plans for improvement in curriculum understanding. Principals will also use the data to coordinate with counselors to ensure all students are taking appropriate college entrance and placement exams to optimize their post-high school success.