FOXBORO - Foxboro High School students scored higher on the SAT compared to last year in all three categories: critical reading, writing and math. The highest scores were in math.

And Foxboro High students are maintaining achievement in advance placement despite the increase in test takers, Principal Jeffrey Theodoss told the school committee.

In all, 171 students in the Class of 2008 took the SAT.

Among the highlights of Theodoss' report:

Class of 2008 critical reading scores averaged 527, up 7 points from last year - and up 20 points from 2006. Writing scores averaged 540, up 11 points from last year and up 19 points from 2006.

Math scores averaged 545, up 2 points from last year and the year before.

All three Foxboro's SAT scores were well over the state and national averages.

Theodoss also reported progress in the school's aim to increase the number of students taking Advanced Placement courses, and to increase the scores.

"In a short time we have increased the number of participants from approximately 140 in 2006 to over 200 in 2008," he said.

The school offers AP courses in United States and European history, biology, chemistry, English literature and language, calculus, statistics, French and Spanish.

Scores range from 1 to 5, with a 3 or better typically earning college credit.

In 2008, 80 percent of Foxboro AP scores were 3 or better, compared to 76 percent in each of the past two years.

In a related discussion, Theodoss said 19 Foxboro High students are currently taking online courses for credit, including AP courses, through the "virtual high school" program.

Foxboro has slots for 25 students per semester in the virtual high school. With more than 200 virtual high school courses offered, the program better supports students' needs and interests, Theodoss said.