By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News
Leander ISD reported that 971 students earned 1,054 Advanced Placement Scholar Awards in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the 2016 AP Exams. This is a 27-percent increase from the previous year’s AP Scholar distinctions.
Vandegrift High School stood out among all LISD high schools with a total of 349 scholars honored through the AP Program. Cedar Park High School had a total of 226 scholars, Vista Ridge High School had 191, Leander High School had 104, and Rouse High School had a total of 101 scholars.
“Leander ISD is pleased to see a growing number students who are participating in the rigorous AP Program and doing well on these challenging exams,” said Karie Lynn McSpadden, LISD interim superintendent. “We are especially proud of our AP Scholars and all that they’ve accomplished.”
LISD reported that 3,875 students took 6,866 AP Exams in 2016, up from the 3,579 students who took 6,109 exams in 2015. The 12-percent increase in the number of exams and 8-percent increase in the number of individual students testing outpaced the district’s 5.5-percent growth in student enrollment.
Additionally, the district reported that the percentage of students who met criteria (scoring a 3 or higher) improved by 3 percent. The passage of House Bill 1992 requires that all public colleges and universities in Texas award course credit to students who score a 3 or higher on an AP exam.
“Our growth in participation and performance in advanced academics doesn’t just happen without a team effort,” Lisa Nucci, director of College and Career Readiness said. “Our high school campus Deans of Instruction, Teaching and Learning Staff and AP and Pre-AP teachers have collectively led this improvement.”
LISD continues to seek opportunities to expand its AP offerings. AP Spanish Language was offered to Leander Middle School eighth-grade students beginning in the 2014-15 school year and will be expanded to Running Brushy Middle School eighth-grade students this fall. During the 2015-16 school year, Cedar Park added AP Capstone, and Rouse and Vandegrift will both add AP Capstone in the 2016-17 school year.
The National AP Scholar Award is presented to students who earn an average score of 4 or higher on a five-point scale on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams. The AP International Diploma (APID) is a globally recognized award for students interested in pursuing university study outside of their native country. Students must earn scores of 3 or higher on five or more total AP Exams. The AP Scholar with Distinction Award is presented to students who earn an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. The AP Scholar with Honor Award is achieved by students who earn an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken,and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams and the AP Scholar Award is given to students who complete three or more AP Exams with scores of 3 or higher.
LISD AP SCHOLAR AWARDS
• Cedar Park High School had a total of 226 scholars honored through the AP Program:
• 31 qualified for the National AP Scholar Award,
• 1 qualified for the AP International Diploma,
• 90 qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award,
• 41 qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award,
• 95 earned the AP Scholar Award.
Leander High School had a total of 104 scholars honored through the AP Program:
• 10 qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award,
• 32 qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award,
• 62 earned the AP Scholar Award.
Rouse High School had a total of 101 scholars honored through the AP Program:
• 2 qualified for the National AP Scholar Award,
• 27 qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award,
• 21 qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award,
• 53 earned the AP Scholar Award.
Vandegrift High School had a total of 349 scholars honored through the AP Program:
• 39 qualified for the National AP Scholar Award,
• 139 qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award,
• 81 qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award,
• 129 earned the AP Scholar Award.
Vista Ridge High School had a total of 191 scholars honored through the AP Program:
• 10 qualified for the National AP Scholar Award,
• 70 qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award,
• 33 qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award,
• 88 earned the AP Scholar Award.