Berkmar, Parkview Named AP Honor Schools

Berkmar High and Parkview High were among the Gwinnett County high schools named this week as AP Honor Schools, according to district officials.

In fact, all of Gwinnett County's high schools excelled in Advanced Placement exams in the past school year, and received the recent distinction.

The state Department of Education released its report on Advanced Placement (AP) exams on Feb. 20. The data is based on the 2012 graduating class.

Schools, a total of 20 in Gwinnett County and 424 statewide, received the honor for either high marks on AP exams or participation. The exams allow students to gain college credit while in high school.

In Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS), 12,205 students took 23,468 AP exams in 2012. Some 59 percent scored a three or higher on the tests, according to the district.

"We are proud of the work our teachers do every day as they challenge and guide students to tackle more rigorous coursework," said Gale Hey, associate superintendent for teaching and learning at GCPS.

She added that the "announcement reinforces this success and serves as a reminder of the good job our schools are doing in preparing students for college and the future."

The Lilburn-area schools recognized as 2013 AP Honor Schools are:

AP Access and Support Schools: Schools with at least 30 percent of their AP exams taken by students who identified themselves as African-American and/or Hispanic and 30 percent of all AP exams earning scores of 3 or higher

• Berkmar High

AP Merit Schools: Schools with at least 20 percent of the student population taking AP exams and at least 50 percent of all AP exams earning scores of three (3) or higher

• Berkmar High
• Parkview High

AP STEM Schools: Schools with students testing in at least two AP mathematics courses and two AP science courses (AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics B, AP Physics C, AP Computer Science)

• Berkmar High
• Meadowcreek High
• Parkview High

AP STEM Achievement Schools: Schools with students testing in at least two AP math courses and two AP science courses and at least 40 percent of the exam scores on AP math and AP science exams earning scores of three (3) or higher

• Berkmar High
• Parkview High

Have school news or story idea you want to share, contact Local Editor Joy L. Woodson at Joy.Woodson@patch.com or 404-539-9256.