February 27, 2013

The Virginia Department of Education recently released information from The College Board recognizing the increased achievement of PWCS students on Advanced Placement (AP) tests and increased enrollment in AP courses, naming the School Division to the Annual AP District Honor Roll. PWCS is one of 12 Virginia and 539 school divisions in the nation to receive this acclaim.

“This is important because it confirms our belief that if we expand access to the rigor of Advanced Placement courses offered in our high schools and we challenge our students, they will rise to meet our expectations for college and career readiness,” said Superintendent of Schools Steven L. Walts.

 

The School Division’s effort is multi-faceted, involving the School Board’s Strategic goals for student achievement as well as the Board’s continued funding of the fees for AP tests despite significant budget reductions. PWCS graduates are out-pacing others in the nation on the percent of students earning qualifying scores on at least one AP exam. Even with increasing numbers of students taking rigorous AP, Cambridge, and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, 32 percent of 2012 graduates earned qualifying scores on at least one AP, IB, or Cambridge exam.

 

“Our students deserve a lot of credit,” said Kenneth Bassett, director of Student Learning. “They are willing to take a risk and try more difficult classes.”

 

Bassett said the commitment of parents, counselors, and teachers, and central office staff has made a difference.

 

“Parents are encouraging their students to work hard on their studies at school and at home. School counselors promote a culture of access for all students to these courses; teachers provide extra support to help students to perform well; and the central office staff provides the school personnel with training, resources, and support,” Bassett added.

 

PWCS student achievement is reflected also in The Washington Post’s annual “High School Challenge” which consistently ranks the School Division in the top 8 percent of schools nationwide that encourage students to take challenging college-level courses, with rising achievement on examinations in those courses.