Spring Branch ISD Featured News

SBISD students earn hundreds of AP Scholar Awards

COVID-19 did not stop one high-achieving group of high school students from reaching their academic goals.

Spring Branch ISD is proud to announce that 720 high school students earned recognition as Advanced Placement (AP) Scholars during 2019-20.

The College Board’s AP Program offers academically prepared students an option to take rigorous, college-level courses while still in high school, and to receive college credit, advanced standing, or both, for successful performance on AP exams.

“We are very encouraged that our AP students continued to thrive and to shine in spite of the less than ideal AP Exam testing conditions last spring due to COVID-19 restrictions on in-person learning,” said Amy Ellingson, who is the SBISD facilitator for Advanced Academic Studies.

“Students in Spring Branch ISD maintained our usual high standard of scores with a minimal drop in participation,” she also said.

The College Board determines student award winners based on AP Exam scores. A student’s average exam score is based on a calculation of all such AP exams taken. For this past year, The College Board had five separate award categories.

The College Board’s highest possible AP Exam score is 5.

In 2019-20, SBISD was home to one AP International Diploma award winner and 69 National AP Scholars. The AP International Diploma is given to students who display exceptional achievement across a variety of academic disciplines.

The National AP Scholar Award is issued to U.S. students who receive an average score of at least 4 on all AP Exams taken, with scores of 4 or higher on 8 or more exams. This award will not be issued in future years.

SBISD high schools, meanwhile, supported 238 AP Scholars with Distinction award winners. This distinction is given to students who earn an average score of 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, as well as scores of 3 or higher on five or more exams.

In addition, SBISD campuses had 122 AP Scholars with Honor recognized for those who earned at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more exams.

Also this year, SBISD had 289 AP Scholars honored for earning scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams. 

In general, students may earn college credits or advanced placement standing at U.S. colleges or universities for AP Exam scores or 3 or higher, depending on the policies of a specific institution.

SBISD’s Advanced Academic Studies Facilitator Amy Ellngison notes that district AP teachers worked diligently to find creative ways to keep students engaged during the pandemic while learning from home. Students rose to the challenge.

“AP students had to dig in and find new ways to study and review for these high-stakes tests that can provide credit for college coursework. AP Scholars take multiple AP tests over several years, and they are committed to being excellent students.”

Although many of these AP students graduated in May, this year’s seniors who earned recognition as juniors – and a few younger students – can earn a higher award level this year.

To learn more about AP Scholar awards, visit the College Board website:

https://www.collegeboard.org/