The following is a release from the Lake Washington School District:

Lake Washington School District (LWSD) students scored on average 11 points higher on the SAT reading and writing tests and nine points higher on the SAT math test from the previous year, contrary to state and national trends. State and national average scores fell in all three areas. LWSD students continue to score well above state and national averages on all three tests.

“I am proud of Lake Washington students, and it is exciting to see the hard work of students and teachers paying off,” said Dr. Traci Pierce, superintendent.

After a steady decline over the past three years, the total number of SAT test-takers in the district increased by 28 students this year to 1,135 students. That is up from a four year low of 1,107 the previous year.

Average critical reading scores in LWSD rose to by 11 points, from 562 to 573. Reading scores across the state of Washington fell from 510 last year to 502 this year. Nationally, reading scores decreased from 497 in 2014 to 495 in 2015.

LWSD math scores were the highest this year that they have been in the past four years at 584. That is nine points higher than in 2014. State math scores fell this year by eight points, from 518 last year to 510 this year. National scores also saw a slight decrease from 513 last year to 511 this year.

LWSD writing scores rose this year by 11 points, from 555 last year to 566. Washington state scores fell in this category by seven points, from 491 last year to 484. Nationally, writing scores fell by three points, from 487 last year to 484.