Rockdale Citizen

CONYERS -- The Georgia Department of Education announced this week that four schools in Rockdale County are AP Honor Schools this year.

State Superintendent of Schools John Barge named Heritage High School, Rockdale County High School, Salem High School and the Rockdale Career Academy as Honor Schools based on AP courses and exams taken last year.

"We are extremely proud of all of our schools for continuing to place an emphasis on rigor," said RCPS Superintendent Samuel King. "I commend the students, parents, teachers and administrators for this state-level recognition for the second consecutive year."

Both Heritage and Rockdale were recognized in the AP Access and Support category and the AP STEM Schools category.

AP Access and Support schools had at least 30 percent of the AP exams taken by students who identified themselves as AfricanAmerican and/or Hispanic and 30 percent of all AP exams earned scores of 3 or higher last year. AP STEM Schools are those with students testing in at least two AP math courses and two AP science courses, including AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics B, AP Physics C or AP Computer Science.

"Our sustained concentration on rigorous coursework prepares our students to be successful in the most challenging courses," said Heritage Principal Greg Fowler. "Students are recognizing the benefits of taking AP courses, which may further opportunities in their future."

Salem High School and the Rockdale Career Academy join HHS and RCHS in the category of AP STEM Schools.

"With this recognition, we reaffirm our commitment to raising the bar for all students," said SHS Principal Tonya Bloodworth. "I am thrilled that our students are taking ownership in their education by choosing to engage in such high-level academic courses."

Each school thanked instructors for supporting the students with the courses.

"Our ongoing partnership with (the base high schools) to offer students multiple opportunities for rigorous coursework is very important to our academy's mission," said Dr. Miki Edwards, CEO of RCA.

Rockdale County High School was also named in a third category, AP STEM Achievement. Those are schools with students testing in at least two AP math courses and two AP science courses, with at least 40 percent of the exam scores on AP math and AP science exams earning scores of 3 or greater.

"Receiving this kind of recognition energizes us to continue our efforts to increase rigor for all students," said Principal Georgi Nour. "This year we have created additional opportunities for AP support and acceleration through flex time so that all students have the tools necessary to reach for the next level."

This is the second consecutive year that the school was named in three categories.

"(That) is evidence that our creative focus is working," Nour said. "In addition, our Magnet program is an outstanding model for advanced STEM opportunities and innovation in those concentrated program areas."

King said each of the high schools is increasing AP offerings and the number of students participating in them.

"Research clearly indicates that students who take Advanced Placement courses are more likely to seek and complete higher education," he said. "Therefore, our goal is to see more students across all subgroups enroll and succeed in our Advanced Placement program."

AP classes and exams are administered by the College Board, which also administers the SAT. AP classes offer rigorous college-level learning options to students in high school. Students who receive a 3, 4 or 5 on AP exams may receive college credit.

"Georgia has much to be proud of when it comes to the success of Advanced Placement," Barge said in a press release. "Much of this success can be attributed to the dedication to rigor and excellence at each of our AP Honor Schools."