Prosperity 2020 leaders joined Governor Herbert to acknowledge Park City High School for having the highest percentage of students who passed AP tests in 2012. The College Board recently released Advanced Placement (AP) data for the 2012 school year, and Park City High School had a 54 percent participation rate with an 80 percent passing rate – that’s 43 percent of enrolled students passing AP exams.
The school was awarded the Top AP traveling trophy for their accomplishments. In addition, AP students received free lunch, sponsored by Fidelity Investments and served by the Governor and Prosperity 2020 business leaders.
AP teachers credited good K-12 teachers who prepared these students well and had high expectations, parents who supported achievement, and students who were motivated and worked hard. The student body president also credited an atmosphere where students encourage each other.
AP tests help provide a bridge from high school to college, preparing students for college courses, helping them acquire credit toward college graduation, and perhaps most importantly setting their sights on something beyond graduation. “We no longer want students thinking K-12,” said Governor Herbert. “Instead, they need to be focusing on K-16, and AP participation is doing just that – moving high school students towards college.”
Participation in AP courses contributes to the state’s goal of 66 percent of Utah adults having a postsecondary degree or certificate by 2020.
