CCSD Students Increase AP Participation and Success, Earn International Honors

Cherokee County School District high school students last school year increased their participation and success in Advanced Placement college-level courses, earning international honors for their schools.

CCSD students last school year took 6,091 AP exams – an increase from 5,534 the previous year, and raised the overall average score to 3.4, up from 3.3, according to a new report from the College Board.  Students who earn a 3 or higher (on a scale of 1 to 5) on an AP exam can qualify for college credit at most state colleges and universities, thereby avoiding college tuition payments for those classes.  The total value of the college tuition CCSD students will avoid paying due to last school year’s success, assuming each exam equals just one college course, is estimated at $4.6 million.  

The school district’s AP program has repeatedly earned state and national recognition for its comprehensive course catalog and high passage rate; CCSD high schools offer 33 different AP courses.

“Congratulations to our students and thank you to our teachers, who make this incredible opportunity for success possible for our students,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said.  “Our School Board has wisely invested taxpayer resources into strengthening our AP program over the years to ensure our students have access to its challenging classes across core academics, world languages and the fine arts.  Passage of AP exams not only saves our students and their families money on college tuition, the rigor of these courses also prepares our graduates for college success.”  

The College Board, which runs the international AP program, this month began the AP School Honor Roll awards to recognize schools for success in course participation and exam passage.

To earn the honor, 40% of a school’s graduating class must take at least one AP course (College Culture), 25% of test-takers must earn a 3 or higher on each exam (College Credit) and 2% of students must take five or more AP courses during their high school career, with at least one in ninth or 10th grade (College Optimization).

Woodstock High School earned the award at the overall Silver level, with a Silver ranking for College Culture, Gold for College Credit and Platinum for College Optimization.  Creekview, Etowah and Sequoyah High Schools earned the award at the overall Bronze level, with all three also earning the same category rankings: Bronze for College Culture, Gold for College Credit and Platinum for College Optimization.

Schools on the AP School Honor Roll also may earn the AP Access Award, which honors their commitment to providing all students access to advanced coursework, and Etowah HS achieved this honor.  To earn the award, the percentage of AP exam takers from an underrepresented minority and/or low-income household must mirror the school's overall student demographics. 
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