Students in St. Charles County's five school districts scored above the state and national averages on the 2011 American College Test (ACT).

The ACT is the most widely used college-entry exam in Missouri and most other Midwestern states. High school students typically take the test during their senior year.

Test results are scored on a scale of 1 to 36, with 36 being the best possible score. The tests include examinations in mathematics, science, English and reading.

The results, released Wednesday, indicate St. Charles County scores were higher than the statewide composite average score of 21.6 and the national composite average of 21.1.

Students in the Francis Howell and St. Charles school districts had the same average composite score of 22.6. In the case of Francis Howell, the score was a slight drop from last year's 22.9.

"We're happy with that," said Mary Hendricks-Harris, the district's chief academic officer.

Hendricks-Harris said district seniors have had composite ACT scores in the 22 range since 2006. The subject where there was a bit of a drop in results was English, she said.

The district's goal remains to raise overall composite scores to 24, which would more than meet admission standards at state colleges and universities, she said.

In St. Charles, the 22.6 composite average score was a slight improvement over the 22.5 average in 2010. St. Charles students have had a 22 composite ACT score since at least 2006.

The composite average score in the Fort Zumwalt School District, which has the largest enrollment in the county, was 21.8, compared to 21.7 in 2010.

Jackie Floyd, Fort Zumwalt assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, said the district's ACT results have stayed roughly the same since 2006. The high mark came in 2007 when the composite score was 22.

Wentzville's ACT composite score is also up this year. The composite score for students was 22.1 in 2010. An overall district composite average wasn't available Friday, but the averages at both of the district's high schools were up from last year. Holt High School students had a composite score of 22.2, compared to a 22.7 average at Timberland High School.

The Wentzville district's overall average composite score has been at least 22 since 2006.

Meanwhile, the overall average composite score in the county's smallest public school district dropped slightly. Orchard Farm's composite average was 21.8 this year, down from a 22 score in 2010.

"Of course, we'd like to see the number rise," said Tim McInnis, assistant superintendent at Orchard Farm. But McInnis said the number remains good and represents a drop of only two-tenths of a percent.

The district has made significant progress in its ACT scores in recent years. A jump from 20.6 in 2008 to 22 last year prompted the ACT organization to present the district with its Red Quill Award.