Students at Grayson County High School were recently awarded incentives for their success in Advanced Placement (AP)® courses through AdvanceKentucky’s College Readiness Program. A total of 30 students earned one or more qualifying scores on recent AP exams.
Since beginning its participation with the College Readiness Program in 2022, Grayson County High School has nearly 10 times as many students enrolled in AP mathematics, science, English, computer science, and Capstone courses as before.
AP courses give students the opportunity to complete college-level coursework and earn college credit while in high school. Students who enroll in AP courses are 10 percent more likely to graduate from college in four years and are more likely to major in a subject in which they took an AP course.
Since 2008, AdvanceKentucky has worked with school districts across the Commonwealth to increase enrollment and success in STEM classrooms, and its College Readiness Program increases the number of students enrolling and earning qualifying scores in AP mathematics, science, English, Capstone, and computer science courses through intense academic and financial support.
Grayson County High School was one of 44 schools from across the state that participated in the program during the 2022-23 school year. AdvanceKentucky is an initiative of Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation, a private, nonprofit corporation committed to the advancement of science, technology, and innovative economic development. The organization is focused on developing and managing creative initiatives in education, economic competitiveness and scientific research.
“We’d like to congratulate all of our student participants for their hard work in AP classes this year,” AdvanceKentucky Executive Director Anthony Mires said. “By tackling these challenging, college-level courses now, they’ll be more prepared to pursue advanced skills in college and beyond.”
During the 2022-23 school year, AdvanceKentucky supported nearly 100 teachers with over 2000 students statewide in strengthening AP courses through a variety of professional learning experiences, mentoring, and academic support. Research by the College Board suggests that significant increases in postsecondary first-year grades and on-time bachelor’s degree attainment are associated with a student’s first experience and success in an AP course.
“I am very proud of the growth Grayson County High School has, and continues, to show,” College Readiness Program Director Aaron Timmons said. “Thanks to the efforts of (Principal) Lacy Cox and (Assistant Principal) Matt Hayes along with the dedication of the Grayson County High School teachers, they are creating a strong culture of academic excellence.”
Participating students and teachers were recognized at a schoolwide celebration on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
To learn more about AdvanceKentucky and the College Readiness Program, visit advancekentucky.com.
By Grayson County Schools
