USCHS named to new AP School Honor Roll
Dec. 7, 2023
Launched in October 2023, the AP School Honor Roll offers four levels of distinction: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Upper St. Clair High School achieved Silver distinction.
The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program offers students the opportunity to take challenging college-level courses while still in high school, and to receive college credit, advanced placement, or both for successful performance on AP Exams.
Within the United States and Canada, 4,570 public and private schools – representing 30% of eligible high schools – are being recognized on the AP School Honor Roll. The recipients represent a broad range of high schools, including private, public, and charter schools; large and small student bodies; rural and urban populations; and specialized high schools, along with generalized programs.
In May 2023, 355 Upper St. Clair students completed 711 AP exams in 26 subjects – earning an 83 percent pass rate. AP tests are scored 1-5; students must earn a 3 or higher to pass and possibly qualify for college credit.
“Research shows students who take AP courses and exams are more likely to attend college and graduate on time,” Trevor Packer, head of AP and instruction for the College Board, said. “The students who enter four-year colleges with credit from AP accelerate their path to graduation and build confidence for college success. And even for those who don’t earn college credit, AP coursework provides early exposure to college-level work and contributes to a college-going school culture.”
Upper St. Clair High School currently offers 25 AP courses including AP Art & Design; AP Biology; AP Calculus AB; AP Calculus BC; AP Chemistry; AP Chinese Language; AP Comparative Government & Politics; AP Computer Science A; AP English Language and Composition; AP English Literature and Composition; AP Environmental Science; AP French Language; AP German Language; AP Macroeconomics; AP Microeconomics; AP Music Theory; AP Physics 1; AP Physics C: Mechanics; AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism; AP Psychology; AP Spanish Language; AP Statistics; AP U.S. Government & Politics; AP U.S. History; and AP World History.
To be recognized on the AP School Honor Roll in a given year, a school must meet the following criteria for their students in the most recent graduating class:
- College Culture: 40% or more of the graduating cohort took at least one AP Exam during high school.
- College Credit: 25% or more of the graduating cohort scored a 3 or higher on at least one AP Exam during high school.
- College Optimization: 2% or more of the graduating cohort took five or more AP Exams during high school. At least one of those exams was taken in ninth or 10th grade, so that students are spreading their AP experience across grades rather than feeling disproportionate pressure in any single year.
AP School Honor Roll – Allegheny County Public Schools
- Avonworth High School, Bronze
- Deer Lakes High School, Bronze
- Fox Chapel Area High School, Bronze
- Hampton High School, Silver
- Keystone Oaks High School, Bronze
- Moon Area High School, Bronze
- Mt. Lebanon High School, Silver
- North Allegheny Senior High School, Bronze
- Pine-Richland High School, Gold
- Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts 6-12, Silver
- Quaker Valley High School, Silver
- Riverview High School, Bronze
- South Fayette High School, Silver
- Upper St. Clair High School, Silver
- West Allegheny Senior High School, Silver
- West Jefferson Hills High School, Silver