New record high average ACT score for CPS juniors

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Some Chicago Public School students are being praised for a new achievement.

High school juniors in 2015 scored an average of 18.4 on the ACT exam, a new record high for CPS.

Scores have been climbing steadily, CPS said, rising 1.2 points since 2011. The district said the 2015-2016 scores rose .2 points from the previous school year.

Chicago Public Schools also said the percentage of students meeting and exceeding the national average ACT score of 21 is also rising; in the past year 30.5 percent of CPS juniors scored a 21 or above on the ACT compared to 25.5 percent in 2011.