It’s not just students who benefit from high AP Exam scores — LACES was named to the 2023 AP School Honor Roll. The Honor Roll recognizes schools whose Advanced Placement (AP) Program is delivering results and broadening access for students.
LACES qualified for the award with 93% of the 2023 graduating class taking at least one AP exam during high school, 74% scoring a 3 or higher on at least one AP Exam, and 58% taking five or more AP Exams throughout their high school careers. Of all 2023 AP Exams taken by LACES students, 80% were passed with a 3 or higher.
“The largest benefit [of AP classes] is students having access to college-level work, so they at least have a preview of what they’ll be exposed to, should they choose to go to college,” said principal Ms. Kimberly Lesure.
Schools can earn the Honor Roll recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness. The AP School Honor Roll offers four levels of distinction: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. LACES was awarded the highest, Platinum. Because this creates an academically-rigorous environment for students, LACES teachers and administrators do what they can to ensure students can get help if they need it.
“We want to make sure that students also know that there are supports for you as much as possible. If it’s during the school day, if we can offer some extra assistance after school, if teachers can make themselves available to offer you extra time during lunchtime, it’s a course where teachers are expected to support you,” Lesure said. Given these high expectations, AP teachers must ensure that they support not only their students, but each other.
“The largest support I get is from the other AP teachers, because we meet regularly and we’re constantly discussing. Our conversations focus more on our mental well-being,” said AP Calculus teacher Mr. Constantinos Tzaferis.
College Board’s AP Program enables students to enroll in college-level courses — with the opportunity to earn college credit — while still in high school. The program offers 38 subjects, each culminating in an exam in May. A score of 3 or higher is considered passing, and research indicates that students who pass an AP Exam typically experience greater academic success in college and are more likely to earn a degree than non-AP students. LACES offers 24 of these courses.
“By having a variety of different AP classes, I can explore different subjects, like STEM or foreign language or psych. I can see if I like the subject or not because it allows me to take a deep dive,” said 12th grader Sophie Gopen, who has taken 16 AP courses.
