Students from British Columbia have scored above average in recent academic rankings.
According to the Advanced Placement College Board, high school students in B.C. had an average score of 3.67, ahead of the national average of 3.43 and well above the American average of 2.84.
The Programme for International Student Assessment showed reading, math and science knowledge among 15-year-old students was above average when compared with students in 65 countries.
Wendy Hyer, superintendent of schools for the Okanagan Skaha School District, said the quality of teachers and principals plays an important role in the rankings.
“Kids do well because of the quality of the instructor and the leadership at the school,” she said.
She added that the province has been looking at ways to improve its education system in recent years.
Emphasis is made on determining which students are lagging and finding ways to help them improve.
She said Premier Gordon Campbell’s focus on improving literacy has also made a difference for students.
“He really did value education,” she said.
Dave Searcy, principal of Summerland Secondary School, said the school is working to help every student to have success in school.
“We believe each student can learn. Each student can have success,” he said.
He added that this learning atmosphere begins in elementary schools and continues throughout the school system.