Bartow County high schools have achieved a record 12 Advanced Placement (AP) Honor School awards this year, the highest in the county's history. According to the Georgia Department of Education, 301 AP Honor Schools were recognized across 104 districts, based on 2024 AP courses and exams.
Adairsville High School received:
AP STEM School Award
AP Humanities School Award
AP Humanities Achievement School Award
Cass High School earned:
AP STEM School Award
AP Humanities School Award
AP Humanities Achievement School Award
AP Access and Support School Award
Woodland High School gained:
AP STEM School Award
AP Humanities School Award
AP Humanities Achievement School Award
AP STEM Achievement School Award
AP Schools of Distinction Award
Award Categories:
AP Access and Support Schools: Schools with at least 30% of AP exams taken by students who identified as African American and/or Hispanic (minimum of 16 students) and 30% of all AP exams earning scores of 3 or higher. At least 25 exams must be administered.
AP Challenge Schools: Schools with enrollments of 900 or fewer students and exams administered in English, math, science, and social studies and a minimum of 25 total exams administered.
AP Expansion Schools: AP schools with 25% growth in AP student participation from May 2023 to May 2024 and a minimum of 25 students testing in May 2023.
AP Humanities Schools: Schools that administered at least five exams in each of the following AP categories: one ELA course, two social studies courses, one fine arts course, and one world language course, and a minimum of 25 total exams administered.
AP Humanities Achievement Schools: AP Humanities schools (see above definition) with at least 50% of all AP Humanities exams earning scores of 3 or higher.
AP Schools of Distinction: Schools with at least 20% of the total student population taking AP exams and at least 50% of all AP exams earning scores of 3 or higher.
AP STEM Schools: Schools that administered at least 5 exams in each of four separate AP STEM courses (math, science, and computer science) and a minimum of 25 total exams administered.
AP STEM Achievement Schools: AP STEM schools (see above definition) with at least 50% of all AP STEM exams earning scores of 3 or higher.
“Our success in earning these AP Honor awards is a direct result of our dedicated teachers, hardworking students, and the strong support of our school community,” said AP and Magnet Coordinator Kaylie Smith. “We attribute this achievement to a rigorous and engaging curriculum, a culture that encourages academic challenge, and the unwavering commitment of our teachers to providing high-quality instruction. Our students continue to rise to the challenge, demonstrating their ability to excel in Advanced Placement courses, and we couldn’t be prouder of their efforts.”
“Last year’s AP results solidify that our focus on implementing rigorous Tier I instruction, developing disciplinary literacy, and offering instructional support for all students is truly paying off,” said CHS AP Coordinator Sarah Turner. “Six years ago, the Bartow County School System’s goal was to grow our AP program and ensure access for all—an effort recognized through our AP Access and Support School designation. We are proud to say that not only are our students choosing to participate in the college level courses, but they are thriving. By fostering a culture that values academic challenge, we’ve leveraged every resource to support both students and teachers in developing the skills necessary to earn these qualifying scores.”
“We are incredibly proud of Woodland High School’s recognition as an AP School of Distinction,” said WHS Assistant Principal and Magnet Coordinator Mary Beth Tumlin. “This award is difficult to receive where at least 20% of the population takes the AP exam and at least 50% pass the exam. This recognition demonstrates how our school has embraced AP for all. These achievements reflect the hard work and dedication of our students and teachers in pursuing academic excellence. Earning achievement recognition in AP Humanities and AP STEM categories highlights our commitment to providing rigorous and well-rounded educational opportunities that prepare students for success in college and beyond.”
Each high school will be honored for its achievements at an upcoming Board of Education meeting.