Dedication to rigorous class work has paid off for 58 current and former students at Allen County-Scottsville High School. The hard-working students earned qualifying scores on Advance Placement (AP) testing last spring after laboring in AP classes through the year. The accomplishment earned the students college credit for their work and qualified students for cash rewards.
In partnership with the AdvanceKentucky initiative, teachers received training and supplies so that more AP class opportunities are available to AC-SH students. The program is designed to dramatically expand access to and participation in rigorous college-level work in high school, particularly among student populations traditionally underrepresented in these courses.
As a result of the AdvanceKentucky program, participation in AP classes at AC-SH has increased dynamically in recent years. In the 2010-2011 school year, 80 students took AP classes with the number nearly tripling by the 2011-2012 school year. During the 2012-13 school year, 218 students took classes in 10 AP subject areas. Last year; 201 students were in Advanced Placement sections of Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, Environmental Science, English Language, English Literature, Physics, Psychology, Statistics, United States History and World History.
Toward the end of classes last spring, AP students took the College Board’s AP Exam in their subject area. Scores are reflected on a five-point scale. A score of five is “extremely well qualified”. A four score in “well qualified” with a three score being considered “qualified.” Students scoring a three or higher on the AP exam are qualified to receive college credit for their work or advanced placement in college classes.
The results show that 58 students received qualifying scores on 89 tests. Of the 58 students, 22 obtained qualifying scores on two or more tests with six students receiving qualifying scores in three or more AP classes. Class of 2014 graduate Brooklyn Meador earned qualifying scores in five AP classes---English Literature, Calculus, Physics, Chemistry, and U.S. History. The students received a $100 cash reward for each subject in which a qualifying score was earned resulting in $8,900 handed out under the reward program.
The reward winners include 12 students in AP English Language; Sydney Blankenship, Tori Edwardson, Cody Gordon, Caitlyn Graham, Carter Gross, Keith Jones, Ashley King, Alex Lyons, Dylan Meredith, Colton Oakes, Joel Ryherd, and Cassidy Ward. In AP English Literature, Danielle Caldwell, Titus Carter, Kathrine Ditmore, Dylan Mast, Brooklyn Meador, Cameron Pilgrim, Heather Stephens, Jacob Stewart, Shea Tomes, Jacob Vernon, Wyatt Weisbrodt, and Madison Williams were the 12 reward winners.
Two students---Brooklyn Meador and Cameron Pilgrim---earned qualifying scores in AP Calculus while students Hayden Fugate and Jared Walden achieved qualifying scores in AP Statistics. Six students received qualifying scores in AP Physics; Hayden Fugate, Brooklyn Meador, Olivia Obermyer, Cameron Pilgrim, Quinn Towery, and Jared Walden. Three students earned rewards in AP Chemistry; Evan Day, Brooklyn Meador, and Jared Walden.
Receiving qualifying scores in AP Biology were students Sydney Blankenship, Austin Byrn, Samuel Calvert, Kathrine Ditmore, Vanessa Durocher, Lucas Harrison, Keith Jones, Alex Lyons, Michael Mason, Dylan Meredith, Olivia Obermyer, Cory Radcliff, Kendra Silvano, William Slaten, Quinn Towery, Tony Veron, and Cassidy Ward. In AP Environmental Science, 17 students earned qualifying scores with the list including Josh Bomar, Isaiah Burciaga, Cullen Carver, Preston Clarke, Cameron Cook, Austin Grizzle, Carter Gross, Tristan Hardin, Madison Jones, Jack Kello, Daniel Monterrosas, Austen Riffe, Samantha Schrock, Joshua Shields, Dale Shivers, Carly Wheat, and Katelynn Willingham.
Reward winners based on their qualifying scores in AP World History were 12 students; Isaiah Burciaga, Cullen Carver, Preston Clarke, Cameron Cook, Caleb Darley, Jack Kello, Madeline Payne, Josh Pedigo, Austen Riffe, Dale Shivers, Carly Wheat and Jenny Willoughby. Four students notched qualifying scores in AP US History; Carter Gross, Lucas Harrison, Brooklyn Meador, and Cassidy Ward while two students---Olivia Obermyer and Cassidy Ward---had qualifying scores in AP Psychology.
Current students at AC-SH received their reward checks Friday morning during a special assembly at the school. Rewards checks will be mailed to Class of 2014 graduates.
AdvanceKentucky is an initiative of Kentucky Science Technology Corporation, in partnership with the National Math and Science Initiative, Participating Schools, Kentucky Department of Education, Berea College, Council on Postsecondary Education, Lockheed Martin, Exxon Mobil, Appalachian Regional Commission, and US Department of Education AP Incentive Program.