NATCHEZ — After one year of rising test scores, ACT scores at Natchez High School have fallen.

District Superintendent Anthony Morris said scores in every subject area of the 2008-2009 ACT — a college entrance exam — dropped by approximately one composite point.

Conversely, in 2007-2008 year students elevated their scores in every area of testing.

But the combined decreases resulted in a composite drop in the school’s ACT score from 17.2 for the 2007-2008 year to 16.3 for the 2008-2009 year.

“It’s always a little disappointing that we’re not increasing,” Morris said. “Everything is about one point down.”

In English, scores went from 17.3 to 16, in math, scores fell from 16.3 to 15.5, in reading, scores went from 17.1 to 16.3 and in science, scores went from 17.4 to 16.7.

Statewide, students earned a composite score of 18.9, which is unchanged from the previous year.

“No one concrete thing brought (scores) down,” Morris said.

Morris said the 2008-2009 school year brought the retirement of one teacher that specifically helped students prepare for the ACT and could have impacted the test scores.

Since the ACT can be used as a component in considering college admissions, some students take the test multiple times in order to get the highest possible score, but in turn, pull down the school’s composite average, Morris said.

Natchez High Principal Cleveland Moore said the drop in scores will result in corrective action.

This year’s junior and senior classes will have access to more ACT preparatory classes on the weekend and be encouraged to enroll in more challenging math and science classes.

“A more challenging curriculum goes hand-in-hand with an increase in test scores,” Moore said.

At Cathedral High School, school administrators saw a slight increase in this year’s ACT scores.

Cathedral students scored an average of 22.5 in the 2008-2009 year up from a 22.3 the previous year.

Cathedral Principal Pat Sanguinetti said he attributes the elevated scores to “hard work,” from his students.

“We’re pleased,” Sanguinetti said. “I expected (scores) to be up and they were.”

At Adams County Christian School, scores dropped from 19.7 last year to 19 this year. Counselor Tracy Davis said the school’s teachers and curriculum have not changed.

“It’s the different personalities and intellects of the students,” Davis said.

Students at Trinity Episcopal Day School earned a composite score of 20, up from 19.8 from the previous year.