Brighton students scored higher this year than any other students in Livingston County on the Michigan Merit Exam (MME), a standardized test which high school juniors take in place of the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP).

Brighton students also scored more than one point higher on average than students at any other Livingston County school on the American College Testing (ACT) test.

Both sets of scores were released Tuesday by the Michigan Department of Education.

Despite what the numbers say, Laura Surrey, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction for Brighton Area Schools, said scoring higher than other districts in the county is not the district's goal.

"It's not a competition -- it's not in my mind, it's not in the other curriculum directors' minds," Surrey said. "It might be in a community's mind to look from one community to the next, but it's not a competition to me. It's just about getting as many of our kids into that proficiency category."

The MME tests students in five areas: reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies.

Brighton Area Schools saw 83 percent of students reach or exceed proficiency level in reading, down slightly from 2010, and 76 percent of students reach or exceed proficiency level in math, the same as last year. But the district saw improvement in the other three subject areas.

"Overall, the district over the last couple of years has gotten better at finding the kids in the lower grades who are struggling and getting them assistance so they're coming to high school a little better prepared," Surrey said.

Brighton students scored an average of 22 points out of a possible 36 in 2011. The next closest average in Livingston County is in Hartland, where students scored an average of 20.6.

The statewide average is 19.3.