Forsyth County school officials were proud this week after hearing the district led the state for 2008-09 ACT scores.

Results released Wednesday by the Georgia Department of Education show Forsyth County Schools scored 23.1 in a composite score of all four subject areas of the ACT.

The composite score, or average of the four test scores, ranges from 1 to 36. The state average was 20.6 and the national average was 21.1.

In a statement, Superintendent Buster Evans commended students, as well as teachers and support staff, for the "stellar performance."

"Our high schools have posted record high scores for 2009 and we understand that success on these assessments equates to more opportunities for our students," he said.

Unlike the SAT, which is an aptitude test, the ACT measures what a student has learned from high school coursework in English, reading, math and science.

The tests often are used as entrance exams for many colleges and universities

Among the then four local high schools, South Forsyth scored the highest, at 24.1. On the individual school level, that was eighth best in state.

South Forsyth Principal Jason Branch said he was "extremely proud of our community of learners."

"Our goal at South is to be the best high school in our area, then in the state and finally the nation," he said.

Branch added that the 2008-09 ACT score was the highest in school history.

Individual scores for the SATs will be released Tuesday, officials said.