Nipmuc Regional High School students are showing increasing excellence in Advanced Placement (AP) exams even as the number of participants grows each year.
Mr. John Clements, Co-Principal along with Ms. Mary Anne Moran, shared recent AP results to the Mendon-Upton Regional School Committee on October 16.
The presentation included the following highlights:
Students took 370 AP tests last school year.
144 students, or about 82.3 percent achieved qualifying scores on their AP exams, meaning that they achieved at least 3 on the AP’s 5-point scale. This means the student may be eligible for an advanced placement in college and/or course credit at the college level.
The 82.3 percent score is the highest at Nipmuc since 2010.
64 students were recognized as AP Scholars. Of the 64 AP Scholars, 21 received recognition as AP Scholars with Distinction.
Students scored above the state average on 11 of 14 AP tests. Massachusetts held the top AP state ranking the past two years, and five times since 2017.
The College Board recognized Nipmuc’s achievement by placing it on the 2023 AP School Honor Roll with a Silver Distinction. This accolade is awarded to schools that demonstrate excellence in their Advanced Placement programs, emphasizing broader access and consistent student outcomes.
“This speaks to the high quality work our students are doing, and the high-quality of teaching that’s going on,” Clements said. “This is about preparing students for life, giving them the most rigorous learning experience they can have while they are in our school.”
During the meeting seniors Sam Aubut, Sabrina Cassano, and Liz Lange were recognized as AP Scholars with Distinction. They scored an average of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more exams. Students rarely achieve this honor by their junior year.
Each student shared how they appreciated the approach and pace of AP classes, and how it helped them choose their career path.
Lange: “It was really fun to work with these teachers, and students who want to learn. It helps you figure out where you want to go in terms of college, because they are college-level classes, rather than finding out when you get to college.”
Cassano: “I have been to experience more about what college is like and that has guided me with where I want to go with my major and my career.”
Aubut: “AP classes give the opportunity for students with a passion in certain subjects the chance to explore those passions, learn more about what they love, or discover even more passion.”
The School Committee meeting video may be found here.