Northwest Catholic releases 2019 Advanced Placement data

Northwest Catholic High School in West Hartford is proud to announce that 74% of their Advance Placement students earned 3 or higher (out of 5) on their May 2019 exams. Three of these students earned the title of National Scholar.

Michael Foster of Wethersfield (Fordham University), Michael Stamm of Newington (Northeastern University), and Matthew Villani of Avon (Northeastern University) earned the distinction of National Scholar by meeting the guidelines set by the College Board. This coveted award is granted to students who receive an average score of at least 4 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams. That's right — on eight or more AP exams.

Trinity College professor and Northwest Catholic parent Lisa-Ann Foster had this to say upon learning of her son Michael’s award: “Students who meet this standard have essentially earned eight college courses. This is equivalent to almost a full year of college.” Foster continued, “Since Michael took a total of 9 exams, earning 5 on all but one, Fordham granted him credit for 9 courses. If he decides to, Michael could graduate in three years.” Foster concluded, “Not only does NWC offer these courses, but the teachers prepare students to be successful on the AP exams as well.”

NWC is proud of all 155 students who together took 309 exams. Fifty-three of the 155 students earned Scholar titles.

Twenty-six students were named AP Scholars, meaning they received scores of 3 or higher on three or more exams. Eleven students were named AP Scholar with Honors, earning an average of 3.77 on all AP exams and scores of 3 or higher on four or more exams. And 14 students were awarded AP Scholar with Distinction, scoring an average of 4.16 on all AP exams, and scoring 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.

Northwest Catholic is especially excited to announce that all but one of the students who took the AP Chinese exam earned 5s. The school is also pleased to announce that the mean score of its AP Studio Art students was 4.3. This impressive score beat the Connecticut average of 3.7 and the global average of 3.5.

Upon learning that 100% of her AP Studio Art students earned 3 or higher, Mrs. Celina Marquis, a 2008 graduate of the school, said, “I am so proud of this AP Studio Art Class. They put their heart and soul into their portfolios, and I believe that was reflected in their scores this past year. Each of them in their own way defined what my hope for each student who walks into this studio will be — responsible, thoughtful, hardworking, and creative.” Marquis concluded, “Each of them truly pushed the limits of their creativity, thought outside the box, drew and created from their life experiences, making some truly stunning and original masterpieces in the process."

Northwest Catholic's AP US History students’ performance was equally impressive. Together they achieved a record number of 5s. APUSH teacher Joseph Ohlheiser, a 2005 graduate of the school, had this say: “APUSH students put in considerable work in class and at review sessions.” Ohlheiser continued, “I was pleased to see their hard work pay off with a record number of students scoring 5s this past year.”

Advanced Placement classes are a good fit for students eager to tackle college-level work. Motivated students in search of a challenge feel at home in these courses at Northwest Catholic. NWC offers 17 different Advanced Placement courses, including unique offerings such as AP Chinese, AP Studio Art, AP Music Theory, and AP Computer Science.

Northwest Catholic High School in West Hartford is a diverse, Catholic, co-ed, college preparatory community, educating the whole person — mind, body, spirit, and imagination since 1961. Learn more at northwestcatholic.org.