North High is Ranked Among the Best in the Nation
6/16/2009
In its ranking, Newsweek tallied the number of AP tests taken divided by the number of graduating seniors. Using that formula, North High and other schools on that list ranked in the top six percent in the country.
In addition, Newsweek looked at another statistic, the percentage of graduating seniors who scored three or better on at least one AP test. North’s rate was 28 percent compared to 15.2 percent for all schools.
With more than 23,000 public high schools in the U.S., making the Newsweek list is significant.
“We’ve worked hard to increase student participation in honors and AP courses and support students as they experience more rigorous classes,” said North High Principal Maria Ward. “Our students and teachers aim high and excel,” she said.
The honor is not surprising to District 99 teachers, administrators and Board of Education, all of whom have taken measures to give students increased opportunities to enroll in AP and honors classes.
For one, more students are challenged to take honors and AP classes so they can experience the rigor of college-level classes. Courses and course sequences have also been revamped so that more AP classes are available. In addition, there is more support for students taking AP classes, such as special study sessions facilitated by AP teachers who set aside office hours to help students before and after school.
As a result, more students at North are enrolling in AP classes and taking AP tests. In 2005-2006, 236 students took 490 tests. That number jumped two years later to 341 students who took 678 tests, Ward said. The passing rate, while decreasing slightly to accommodate ever increasing test takers, has ranged from 77 percent to 84 percent.
The research is clear that students who take AP courses have an edge. Students who have a chance to experience heavy college reading lists and long, analytical college examinations, graduate from college in higher numbers.
“Students are putting themselves in the position to be successful in college and life, something that will only open more doors for them in the future,” Ward said.