Cherokee Boasts Second Highest Passage Rate on AP Exams

Cherokee County School District high school students not only continue to exceed national and state averages on Advanced Placement exams, but the school system as a whole has earned the second-highest passage rate in Georgia.

The school district, with a passage rate of 76 percent among the 3,424 tests administered in the spring of 2014, ranks second out of Georgia’s 180 school systems, according to its news release.

Cherokee ranks behind behind Bremen City Schools, which administered 98 tests in the spring.

The district’s 2014 test administration passage rate of 76 percent surpasses both the nation at 59 percent and the state at 56 percent.

“This achievement, which is coupled with an 11 percent increase in the number of tests administered in the Cheroke County School District, is further testimony to the dedication of students and of teachers, administrators, parents, volunteers, business partners and the entire community to ensure that each student has the opportunity to start college as successfully as possible,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo said.

The program has grown significantly in the district, from 400 exams administered in 1999 to 3,424 in 2014 — a 756 percent increase— with AP courses and exams offered in 24 subjects.

The AP Program allows high school students who score a 3, 4 or 5 on an AP exam to earn college credit in high school and, subsequently, to exempt those courses in college.

Scores broken down for each school are

CHEROKEE HIGH SCHOOL

• Total AP exams: 494
• AP courses: 19
• AP Scores 3, 4 or 5: 74 percent

CREEKVIEW HIGH SCHOOL

• Total AP exams: 672
• AP courses: 18
• AP scores 3, 4 or 5: 77 percent

ETOWAH HIGH SCHOOL

• Total AP exams: 638
• AP courses: 18
• AP scores 3, 4 or 5: 82 percent

RIVER RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL

• Total AP exams: 545
• AP courses: 21
• AP scores 3, 4 or 5: 63 percent

SEQUOYAH HIGH SCHOOL

• Total AP exams: 459
• AP courses: 20
• AP scores 3, 4 or 5: 78 percent

WOODSTOCK HIGH SCHOOL

• Total AP exams: 618
• AP courses: 21
• AP scores 3, 4 or 5: 88 percent

Studies show that students who participate in AP courses are more likely to earn higher scores on the SAT and ACT and to complete their college education, according to the district. Passage of AP exams places students at an academic and financial advantage, studies show, as they can both begin classes in their major sooner and avoid tuition costs for exempted courses.

All of the district’s high schools additionally have been named Georgia AP STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) or AP STEM Achievement High Schools in recognition of outstanding student passage and participation levels and the variety of course offerings.

These results will be reviewed by principals with their data management team, department heads and AP teachers to evaluate improvement strategies including sharing best practices among teachers and use of College Board preparatory materials.

“Advanced Placement classes are the most challenging high school courses available to students nationwide; and these results show that Cherokee County School District students, teachers and schools are more than up to that challenge,” the superintendent added. “We remain focused on continuing to increase participation in these courses and passage of these exams in tandem with our mission of ensuring that each child is prepared to succeed in further studies and careers.”