Albemarle County Public Schools have been designated among the top three percent of schools in the country as a part of College Board’s Advanced Placement Honor Roll.
This distinction is awarded to school districts who have increased access and success for its students in Advanced Placement classes, which are generally more difficult but offer credit toward college.
Since 2009, twelve percent more Albemarle County students have enrolled in Advanced Placement courses. According to the ACPS website, this figure was especially prominent among economically disadvantaged students, whose numbers in AP classes have risen 129 percent.
Monticello High School teacher Michael Craddock says the distinction owes much to its Advancement Via Individual Determination program.
“We’re looking for those students that are generally maybe B, C students when they first get here and we get them to take harder classes,” he told NBC29.
The number of minority students in Albemarle’s Advanced Placement classrooms continues to rise dramatically. Forty percent more African American students are working for AP credit than in 2009, and 55 percent more Hispanic students.
Albemarle County students are not merely enrolling in the classes, but finding success. Since 2009, the number of students receiving college credit for AP classes has increased by 43 percent, and the number has more than doubles among disadvantaged students.
For more statistics on the rise in Advanced Placement in the county, visit the ACPS website here.