District 211 named to AP District Honor Roll

Township High School District 211 has been named to College Board's annual Advanced Placement (AP) District Honor Roll for the third time in the award's eight-year history for significant gains in student access and success. District 211 is one of only 447 districts throughout the United States and Canada to be honored this year.

To be named to the honor roll, data from the past three years of 38 different AP exams, including world language and culture, was reviewed to ensure districts met key criteria. That criteria includes an increased participation or access to all AP classes by at least 6 percent, an increased or maintained percentage of minority students scoring 3 or higher on at least one AP exam, and an improved or maintained performance level when comparing the 2017 percentage of students scoring a three or higher to the 2015 percentage.

Dr. Daniel Cates, District 211 superintendent said, "Our staff members have again helped significant numbers of students recognize their potential and experience the reward of giving your best effort, even when it's beyond your comfort zone."

Currently, more than 4,000 students throughout District 211 have enrolled in AP courses during the 2017-2018 school year. Of those, 540 enrolled for the first time this year. Those students have the opportunity to earn a variety of financial and academic advantages at many colleges and universities that may include earned college credit for the courses. AP courses and exam scores are widely accepted by colleges and universities. Approximately 20 states, including Illinois, award college credits for a score of three or higher on an AP exam.

"Our increases in the number of students enrolled in AP courses, especially in the number of our first-time enrollees, highlights the impact that results when we expand the exchange between students and teachers," Dr. Cates said.

District 211's AP courses include: Art History, Studio Art 3-D Design, Studio Art 2-D Design, Studio Art Drawing, Music Theory, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physics 1 & 2, Physics C, Environmental Science, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Statistics, Literature and Composition, Language and Composition, Spanish, Spanish Literature and Culture, German, French, Chinese, U.S. History, European History, World History, Human Geography, Microeconomics, Macro-Economics, Psychology, Government and Politics, Seminar, Computer Science Principles, and Computer Science.

"The experience of a student enrolling in the first AP course can change the trajectory of that student's future," Dr. Cates said.

• Submit 'Your News' at www.dailyherald.com/share.