The Cherokee County School District's track record of academic success on standardized tests was bolstered with the release of students' 2012 scores on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS).

Students in fifth and eighth grades take the test, which assesses their reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science and sources of information skills.

Cherokee fifth graders bested the national average score of 50 with a composite score of 69. Eighth graders saw their composite scores increase by a percentage point to 67, 17 points above the national average.

"Much attention is rightfully paid to the outstanding successes of our high school students, especially the recent achievement of earning the State’s highest SAT scores," wrote Cherokee Schools Superintendent Dr. Frank R. Petruzielo in a letter to school board members. "What we must also recognize and applaud is the continuous improvement of students in our elementary and middle schools and the power of positive collaboration between these students, their parents and our dedicated teachers and administrators."

Petruzielo's letter and a school-by-school breakdown of ITBS scores are attached to this article.