Mount Paran Students Amass a Record 91% AP Exam Pass Rate

Mount Paran Christian School announced a 91% pass rate among the 398 AP exams taken by high school students last spring.

A total of 81 MPCS students and recent graduates also earned Advanced Placement Scholar Awards for 2024, in recognition of their achievement on AP exams. In total, 91% of MPCS students passed with a score of three or greater on at least one exam. This is the highest achievement thus far for MPCS students and teachers who have demonstrated a trend of 81% passing rates or greater in the last five years.

The College Board's Advanced Placement Program provides motivated and academically-prepared students with the opportunity to take rigorous college-level courses while still in high school and to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both, for successful performance on the AP Exams taken in May.

Traditionally, about 20% of approximately two million students worldwide who take AP Exams perform at a sufficiently high level to earn an AP Scholar Award. The 91% pass rate is a record year for Mount Paran Christian School students and faculty.

MPCS faculty and high school AP students continue to impress with a five-year history of exam success.

Consistently scoring above 80% on exams, many of these students begin college with abundant core course credits. These high AP exam score exemptions applied by most universities enable alumni to explore additional academic pursuits, second majors, masters degree programs or early graduation. Notably, seven subjects at MPCS had 100% pass rates including AP Human Geography, AP Spanish Language, AP Environmental Science, AP US History, AP 2D Art, AP 3D Art and AP Drawing.

MPCS congratulates the high school teachers who teach those courses: Kelly Tarver, David Fitzpatrick, Richard Searle, Martha Troutman and Sandy Hamilton.

MPCS was once again named to the 2024 AP School Gold Honor Roll, which recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results and broadening access for students. Schools can earn the Honor Roll recognition annually based on their ability to increase their school’s college-going culture, to provide opportunities for students to earn college credit and by maximizing college readiness.

The AP School Honor Roll offers four levels of distinction: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. MPCS qualified for platinum status for college credit and optimization from the College Board. MPCS was also recognized with the AP Access Award for providing all students the opportunity to participate in AP, including students of underrepresented populations.

Research shows that students who take AP courses and exams are more likely to attend college and graduate on time. The students who enter four-year colleges with AP credits accelerate their path to graduation and build confidence for college success. And, even for those who don’t earn college credit, AP coursework provides early exposure to college-level work and contributes to a college-going school culture.