Students achieving AP Scholar Awards have the remaining time in high school to complete additional AP Exams to increase their standings as AP Scholars.

Thomasville City Schools topped its own number of 38 AP Scholars in 2013 and increased its College Board’s Advanced Placement exam award rates with 52 students earning AP Scholar Awards for 2014, including one National AP Scholar, in recognition of their exceptional achievement on AP exams. 

One of those 52, Class of 2014 graduate Felix Edwards, has been named National AP Scholar, which is granted to students in the United States who received an average score of at least 4 or higher on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on 8 or more of these exams. 

Class of 2014 graduates Alexus Bazen, Ryan Davis, Felix Edwards, Mareike Haaren, Mary Hand, Annalee Jackson, Dylan Patel, Kelsey Reddick, Rachel Smith along with current seniors Max Baker, Paxton Stephens, and Kaci Waller qualify for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award by earning an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.

Luke Allegood, Tyia Burnett, Sarah Carpenter, Darryl Davidson, and Alexandra Hall, Class of 2014 graduates; Daniel Autry, James Griner, and Milo St. Ives, current seniors; and Sharon Autry, Aaron Bellamy, Mason Hodge, Jacob Reiber, Cameren Rogers, and Rebecca White, current juniors qualify for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.

Alee’ja Barnes, Elizabeth Hardy, Kosha Patel, Nil Patel, Caitlin Rollock, William White, Anna Wing, and Henry Yant, Class of 2014 graduates; Andrei Aliakseichuk, Linnea Blackmore, Jacob Bruhn, Casidy Cook, Lucas Haaren, Garett Hasty, Abigail Novak, Abhi Patel, Michelle Rodriguez, Hannah Waters, Jack Wise, and Travet Witherspoon, current seniors; Jade Maltese, Jordan Newberry, Dalanie Nix, Rebekah Smith, Karson Stone, and Walter Tucker, current juniors all qualify for the AP Scholar Award by completing three or more AP Exams with scores of 3 or higher.

Students achieving AP Scholar Awards have the remaining time in high school to complete additional AP Exams to increase their standings as AP Scholars.  Academy students begin taking AP classes as early as possible, in the 9th grade, so that they can take advantage of the school’s wide offerings of 17 Advanced Placement courses. 

Through 34 different college-level courses and exams, the College Board’s AP Program provides willing and academically prepared students with the opportunity to earn college credit or advanced placement and stand out in the college admission process. Each exam is developed by a committee of college and university faculty and AP teachers, ensuring that AP Exams are aligned with the same high standards expected by college faculty at some of the nation’s leading liberal arts and research institutions.

Advanced Placement English Literature teacher Lynn Stowers has observed that the attitudes and work ethic of her junior and senior students has improved beyond measure since Scholars Academy began teaching AP classes in the ninth and tenth grades.

Advanced Placement US Government teacher Josh Niswonger said, “Ninth graders have just begun their journey to becoming AP Scholars.” 

Guidance counselor Karen Bryan attributes the Scholars Academy’s yearly increase in the number of AP Scholars to the rigor of the course content and the varied ways the teachers present advanced material in order to reach so many learners.

With Scholars Academy’s authorization and status as an International Baccalaureate World School, students in grades 6-10 participate in inquiry-rich classrooms in the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program.  

“It is almost unbelievable how hard these students work. When I compare the current students with my students of a decade or more ago, I can really tell a difference.   It is so exciting to see the general level of classroom inquiry being raised,” said Stowers.