Wentzville Named AP Achievement District

The has been named an Advanced Placement (AP) Achievement District for 2010-2011 by the College Board. Wentzville is one of only 388 school districts nationwide to achieve this distinction for increasing the number of AP courses offered in high school while simultaneously improving student performance on the AP tests.

Advanced Placement classes enable students to pursue college-level studies while still in high school. Each AP course culminates in a rigorous exam, providing academically prepared students with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement or both. AP exams are graded on a scale of one to five, with a score of three or higher being the typical standard for earning college credit.

From 2008 to 2010, the Wentzville School District increased the number of students participating in AP from 56 to 152, while improving the percentage of students earning AP Exam scores of three or higher from 52 percent in 2008 to 76 percent in 2010.

In 2008, there were five AP courses offered in the District. In 2009, that number increased to 10, and for the 2010-2011 school year, there were 15 AP courses available to students.

Beginning next fall, that number will increase to 17 AP courses for eligible high school students.

Wentzville’s Superintendent Dr. Terry Adams said he is pleased to learn of the College Board’s recognition of the District.

“Offering additional AP courses is in line with our goals to increase rigor and prepare our students for college-level coursework," he said. "We are proud of the educational opportunities afforded our students and what our students have in turn been able to accomplish with those opportunities. This honor validates our efforts and confirms we are headed in the right direction in terms of curriculum and student achievement.”

The College Board analyzed three years of data from 2008-2010 to determine the AP Achievement District awards.