Spring Branch ISD Featured News

Memorial High School (MHS) and Stratford High School (SHS) have been honored once again on the College Board®'s prestigious 2024 AP® School Honor Roll, with Memorial earning a Gold distinction for the second consecutive year and Stratford receiving a Silver recognition for the second year running.

Both campuses continue to set a high standard for academic excellence, with their AP® programs delivering exceptional results for students and helping to prepare them for success in college and beyond. The College Board®’s AP® School Honor Roll® recognizes schools that achieve outstanding outcomes in Advanced Placement® (AP®) coursework, ensuring that students have access to rigorous academic challenges that foster college readiness.

Memorial High School has earned a Gold status for the second year in a row, a remarkable achievement that places the school among the top 7% of eligible schools nationwide. Memorial’s AP® program was recognized for its broad participation, with 40% or more of its graduating students taking at least one AP® Exam, and 25% or more earning a score of 3 or higher on at least one AP® Exam. Additionally, Memorial demonstrated excellence in college optimization, with a significant portion of students engaging in multiple AP® courses throughout their high school years.

Stratford High School, meanwhile, achieved Silver recognition for the second consecutive year, placing it among the top 10% of schools on the Honor Roll. Stratford’s AP® program also demonstrated impressive growth and commitment to student success, ensuring a wide range of students, including those from underrepresented and low-income backgrounds, have access to advanced coursework that helps prepare them for higher education.

"Earning Gold for the second year in a row is a tremendous honor for our school community," said principal Lisa Weir of Memorial High School. "This achievement speaks to the hard work and dedication of our students and teachers, as well as our commitment to fostering a college-ready culture at Memorial. We are proud of our continued success and look forward to building on this momentum."

"We are incredibly proud to receive Silver for the second consecutive year," said Raymorris Barnes, Stratford High School principal. "This recognition reflects our ongoing efforts to expand access to AP® courses and challenge our students with rigorous academic opportunities. It’s a testament to the collaborative spirit of our entire school community."

Stratford was also recognized for its commitment to equity in education, earning the AP® Access Award, an honor given to schools that demonstrate a clear and effective commitment to providing underrepresented and low-income students with access to advanced coursework. This distinction highlights Stratford’s dedication to ensuring that Every Child has the opportunity to succeed in AP® classes.

The AP® School Honor Roll:

The AP® School Honor Roll is an annual recognition awarded to schools in the United States and Canada that have demonstrated strong achievement in delivering Advanced Placement® opportunities. Schools are recognized across four levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The recognition criteria include high rates of AP® participation and success, with a particular emphasis on encouraging students to take AP® exams early in their academic careers and supporting a broad range of students in accessing AP® courses.

In 2024, a total of 5,061 schools earned a place on the Honor Roll, with 7% of schools earning Platinum, 7% earning Gold, and 10% earning Silver. Only 32% of eligible schools across the United States and Canada were selected for this distinction, making it a highly competitive and prestigious honor.

For more information about the AP® School Honor Roll and the AP® Program, visit the College Board®’s website.