When it comes to taking the ACT, South Forsyth High School knows what's up.

South ranked among the state's top 25 schools with the highest composite 2007-08 ACT scores, which were released Wednesday by the Georgia Department of Education.

Forsyth County Schools as a whole exceeded state and national scores for all content areas on the test.

Forsyth Schools Superintendent Buster Evans said in a statement that the 2008 scores are significant, especially in a year where national scores have taken a slight decline.

"It's wonderful to know that our results on this important exam continue to be some of the highest in the state," he said.

The ACT measures what a student has learned from high school coursework. The SAT is an aptitude test. The tests are often used as entrance exams for many colleges and universities.

West Forsyth High School closely followed South's composite score.

West Principal Richard Gill said the score is "a reflection of the standards-based curriculum of Forsyth County Schools and of the strategic academic planning of West Forsyth High School."

South's 2007-08 composite score is 23.3, good for 20th in the state, while West's is 23.2. Forsyth Central High School scored 22.2 and North Forsyth High School scored 21.9.

The number of Forsyth students taking the test has increased each year for the past five years, according to school district figures, and the local schools have maintained a lead over state composite scores.

All four high schools' composite scores for 2007-08 top the state and national averages.

Evans said the school system is particularly proud of South.

"I commend former principal Gary Davison, current principal Jason Branch, the South Forsyth High School staff and students on this great achievement," he said.

Branch said South is excited that once again students have performed well on the ACT.

"We are very pleased that this year we had our best English ACT score and all other areas remained consistently stellar.

"These results are a testament to the hard work of our teachers and the great students that walk through the doors of South each day."