Students who attended summer school in Polk County this year improved their end-of-grade test results by a much greater percentage than most other students in the state.

Statewide, summer school students improved their scores to a proficient or higher level on about 10 percent of tests taken following summer school.

In Polk County, 99 summer school students in grades 3, 4 and 5 improved to proficient or better on 50 percent of tests taken.

The 140 middle school students at summer school improved on 40 percent of tests taken.

Polk Asst. Supt. Mary Margaret Ingle added that 22 students at the high school participated in summer school and obtained 52.5 credits that helped them get closer to graduation.

At the Virtual Early College, 11 students obtained credits during summer school in a variety of courses. &dquo;They were just trying to get ahead; they didn&squo;t need to take the courses,&dquo; said Ingle.

Ingle said the improvement on end-of-grade tests was reflected in Polk&squo;s outstanding results on the state&squo;s ABCs accountability program. She noted that Polk had three of the five Honor Schools of Excellence in Transylvania, Henderson and Polk counties.