COEUR d’ALENE — In the contest for statewide SAT supremacy, Kootenai County is 2018’s hands-down winner.

The state’s top two public schools, by average composite SAT scores, reside right here. Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy dominated the competition with an average composite SAT score of 1291, while North Idaho STEM Charter Academy tied for second statewide with a score of 1206.

Eleven of the top 15 average composite SAT scores in Idaho came from public charter schools. Fourth-ranked Renaissance High School in Meridian had the top composite SAT score among traditional public schools, 1174, followed by eighth-ranked Deary High School with a score of 1111.

CDA Charter Academy Principal Dan Nicklay said the results demonstrate the seriousness with which Charter students approach their education. They aren’t all gifted, he said. They and their teachers just work hard.

“They choose a school that promises to challenge them, and they work really hard,” Nicklay said. “Their test scores are evidence of what happens when dedicated students meet up with challenging teachers.”

Scott Thomson, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy’s executive director, credited the entire academy community for the results.

“When you have parents who support the mission of the school, and hardworking staff and hardworking students that do what they’re supposed to do, good things happen,” Thomson said. “We teach kids to have a good strong work ethic. When you teach them to problem solve, it doesn’t matter what the test is.”

To see scores for all Idaho public high schools, go to: bit.ly/IdahoSAT