COLLEGE BOARD RELEASES AP REPORT TO THE NATION: Eagle Rock H.S. one of top schools U.S.

from Urban Educator | The publication of Great City Schools | http://bit.ly/e0AoFc

August 17, 2011 - Eagle Rock High School in Los Angeles offers students a number of Advanced Placement (AP) classes ranging from English literature, Spanish language, calculus,biology and psychology to history and government.

The large number of AP offerings is one of the reasons Eagle Rock was recently recognized as one of the top schools in the nation with the largest number of Latino and/or African American students experiencing success ( a score of 3 or higher) on AP exams.

The 7th Annual AP Report to the Nation, recently published by the College Board, reveals that nearly 17 percent of public high school students from the 2010 completed high school with at least one successful AP experience. And though still underrepresented in AP classrooms, more minority students are participating and succeeding in AP than in previous years. Within the past 10 years, the number of minority students graduating with a successful AP experience has more than doubled.

Eagle Rock High School was not the only big-city school praised in the report for exemplary programs to increase access to AP courses among traditionally underserved students. Four Miami-Dade County senior high schools were featured: Barbara Goleman, Coral Reef, Design and Architecture and Miami Killian. Also mentioned in the report were Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions in Houston and Cypress Bay High School in Florida’s Broward County school district.

“I am so proud of the Eagle Rock High School students, staff and community for this national recognition,” said Los Angeles school board member Yolie Flores.

Not only is the number of Latino and African American students taking AP exams increasing, but more importantly, the number of Latino and African American students succeeding on AP exams is a testament to their hard work and dedication.”

Through more than 30 college-level courses, each culminating in a rigorous exam, AP provides students with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement or both. Research shows that students who score a 3 or higher on AP exams experience greater academic success in college.