Five Montgomery Public Schools have experienced significant growth in the number of students earning qualifying scores in Advanced Placement (AP); nearly increasing participation and scores by 100 percent or more in several areas.

During a news conference held today by A+ College Ready, A+ Education Partnership and the Alabama State Department of Education, officials announced that Booker T. Washington Magnet High, Brewbaker Technology Magnet High, Jefferson Davis High, Robert E. Lee High and Loveless Academic Magnet Program High were among 64 schools in 27 districts around the state who experienced unprecedented success in AP over a five-year period. Their efforts resulted in the state being ranked first in the nation by the College Board for growth in AP, especially among minority students.

“When I first arrived at MPS, one of my goals was to explore ways we could increase rigor in our curriculum. I believe it’s imperative that our students be prepared for a world that demands advanced skills,” said MPS Superintendent Barbara Thompson. “Programs like AP help us prepare our students to meet those challenges. It shows that when you raise expectations and put the right tools in place to support students, they can excel.”

The five MPS schools first entered the A+ College Ready Program in 2008. Since the initial year, they have made dramatic gains in student participation and qualifying scores. The district increased its AP course offerings by 50 percent from 22 to 33; increased AP qualifying scores by 168 percent from 195 to 522; increased AP qualifying scores by minority students by 226 percent from 47 to 153; and increased enrollment in AP math, science and English by 94 percent from 638 to 1,238.

The progress in Montgomery mirrors what is happening statewide as well. For a fourth year, the 64 schools in the A+ College Ready Program have soared ahead of national results by showing an 110 percent increase in AP qualifying scores „Ÿ 15 times the national average, according to A+ College Ready.

"I think the growth we’ve seen at MPS and throughout the state can be credited to the unprecedented public-private partnerships A+ College Ready and the College Board have created and sustained to support this important work,” Superintendent Thompson said. “It shows what we can accomplish by working together for children.”

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