More Students Enrolling in AP Classes

Published October 11, 2012

More and more Williamson County students are choosing to challenge themselves by enrolling in the most rigorous high school courses. Advanced Placement (AP) enrollment in the district has risen by more than 3,000 students in the last three years.

The AP program is a curriculum sponsored by the College Board that offers standardized courses to high school students that are generally recognized to be equivalent to undergraduate courses in college. Students who do well enough on the AP exams can even earn college credit.

"Advanced Placement courses are vetted against nationally recognized curriculums and exams, which provides a school district with quality assurances of course rigor and potential student achievement," said WCS Assistant Superintendent of Middle and High Schools Dr. Donna Wright. "Students benefit from the 'AP experience' and the more classes they attempt during their high school career, the more confidence they build in preparation for college and beyond."

Independence High School Senior Cole Gaines is one of many students who've jumped at the chance to take AP courses in high school. By the time he graduates, Gaines will have earned up to 35 hours in college credit. He hopes more students will consider taking AP classes in the future.

"There are around three dozen different AP classes and Williamson County has done a great job of making many of them available to students," said Gaines. "My advice to students who are considering AP coursework would be to find whichever classes interest you the most and pursue them because it will be beneficial."