All three Newton County School System (NCSS) high schools—Alcovy, Eastside, and Newton—have been named 2016 Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Schools by Georgia School Superintendent Richard Woods. The 2016 Honor Schools are named in six categories, based on the results of the 2015 AP classes and exams. Those five categories are:

•      AP CHALLENGE SCHOOL: Schools of 900 or fewer students testing in four of the core areas (English, math, science, and social studies)

•      AP ACCESS & SUPPORT SCHOOLS: Schools with at least 30% of their AP exams taken by students who identified themselves as African-American and/or Hispanic and 30% of all AP exams earning scores of 3 or higher.

•      AP MERIT SCHOOLS: Schools with at least 20% of the student population taking AP exams and at least 50% of all AP exams earning scores of three (3) or higher.

•      AP STEM SCHOOLS: Schools with students testing in at least two (2) AP math courses and two (2) 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).

•      AP STEM ACHIEVEMENT SCHOOLS: Schools with students testing in at least 2 AP math courses and 2 AP science courses and at least 40% of the exam scores on AP math and AP science exams earning scores of three (3) or higher.

•      AP Humanities Schools: Schools with student testing in all of the following AP courses: at least 1 ELA course, 2 social science courses, 1 fine arts course and 1 world language course.

Each NCSS high school earned recognition in multiple categories, as follows:

ALCOVY HIGH	EASTSIDE HIGH	NEWTON HIGH
AP Access & Support School	AP STEM School	AP STEM School
AP STEM School	AP STEM Achievement School	AP Humanities School
	AP Humanities School

Alcovy High School earned recognition as an AP Access and Support School and an AP STEM School based on their 2015 AP classes and exams.

“I am immensely proud of our students, parents, and faculty in achieving these honors,” said Dr. Sandra Owens, principal of Alcovy High School. “The Alcovy faculty strives everyday to achieve the Newton County School System’s mission of providing educational excellence for all students.  These honors are indicative of the academic success of the students who through Advanced Placement, personify their dedication and character.  I would also like to congratulate their parents, whose support and guidance made the students’ accomplishments possible.  I know these students will continue to be fine young adults and will continue to be successful in their future endeavors.”

Eastside High School earned recognition in three categories for their AP program in 2015. The school was named an AP STEM School, and AP STEM Achievement School, and an AP Humanities School.

“These recognitions reflect our continued efforts to maintain a school culture that promotes academic rigor, high student achievement, and preparation for life after graduation,” said Jeff Cher, principal of Eastside High School. “I am extremely proud of our students and staff who daily challenge themselves to reach their fullest potential.”

Newton High School earned recognition as both an AP STEM School and an AP Humanities Schools as a result of their successful AP program in 2015.

“The hard work of both the students and our faculty are exemplified through this recognition,” said John Ellenberg, principal of Newton High School. “The commitment of these students to their current academic success is a great indicator of how much more they will achieve as they continue in their education journey. I am proud of both the students and faculty for continuing to strive for excellence and for receiving this honor. Their hard work does not go unrecognized.”

“Congratulations to our high schools’ faculty, students, leaders, and staff,” said NCCS Superintendent Samantha Fuhrey. “I am very proud of their accomplishments and this recognition.  Our Advanced Placement program provides students with rigorous course options that expose and prepare them for the types of experiences they will face in college.  Additionally, there are academic and financial advantages for students who score a three or higher on their AP exams, as many colleges accept those scores in lieu of comparable college courses.  I look forward to continued accolades from the College Board as we strive to be the best and achieve our mission of academic excellence for all students.”

Advanced Placement (AP) classes and exams are administered by the College Board, which also administers the SAT. AP classes offer rigorous college-level learning options to students in high school. Students who receive a 3, 4 or 5 on AP exams may receive college credit.

For more information, contact Ms. Sherri Davis-Viniard, Director of Public Relations for Newton County Schools, at [email protected]