Saint Raphael Academy was named to the 2023-2024 AP School Honor Roll. The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results and broadening access for students.
Schools can earn the Honor Roll recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing their school’s college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness. The AP School Honor Roll offers four levels of distinction: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Saint Raphael Academy received a Silver designation.
Saint Raphael Academy’s AP program has been growing steadily over the last few years. The Academy had 56% of seniors who took at least one AP Exam during high school, 45% of seniors scoring a three or higher on at least one AP Exam, and 7% of seniors who took five or more AP Exams!
Students may choose from 11 AP courses at Saint Raphael Academy, and they can access many more through Virtual High School. One of the more popular courses is AP Psychology, which has two sections. Presently, nine teachers are certified to teach AP classes, and they must recertify after four years.
“Due to the fact that we are a college preparatory school, we have been diligent in increasing our AP opportunities over the past several years,” said Judy Baxter, vice principal of academics. “During my tenure, we have gone from only three AP offerings to 11, with the vision of adding more depending upon student interest and request. The training and competency of our instructors is a key component to this success. Our students seek to be challenged in the classroom and our rigorous academic programs fulfill this need.”
College Board’s Advanced Placement® Program (AP®) enables students to pursue college-level studies—with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both—while still in high school. Through AP courses in 38 subjects, each culminating in a challenging exam, students learn to think critically, construct solid arguments, and see many sides of an issue—skills that prepare them for college and beyond. Taking AP courses demonstrates to college admissions officers that students have sought the most challenging curriculum available to them, and research indicates that students who score a 3 or higher on an AP Exam typically experience greater academic success in college and are more likely to earn a college degree than non-AP students.
