Cranbrook Students Build 10-Year AP Record

Cranbrook Schools’ students have established a ten-year record in Advanced Placement (AP) Exams that places them far ahead of the national average in every single applicable measure. More exceptional than results from a single “good year” of testing, Cranbrook students’ AP performance has been consistent - and improving - for a decade of graduating classes.

More than 90 percent of the nation's four-year colleges and universities have an AP policy that grants incoming students credit, placement or both for qualifying AP Exam scores. Universities in more than 60 countries recognize AP scores in the admission process and/or award credit and placement for qualifying scores.

Since 1955, the AP Program has enabled millions of students to take college-level courses and exams, and to earn college credit or placement while still in high school. In 2010, more than 3,800 colleges and universities accepted qualifying AP Exam scores for credit and/or placement.

According to CollegeBoard (administrators of the AP program) 28.8 percent of United States high school students participated in at least one AP Exam in 2010. Participation among Cranbrook’s Upper School students over the past decade averages over 35 percent, with 37 percent participation for 2010.

Nation-wide, only 16.9 percent all seniors received a score of “3” or better (generally considered a passing grade in a college course) on at least one AP Exam while in high school. Comparatively, 36.9 percent of Cranbrook Kingswood Upper School students achieved the same.

Between the years of 2002 and 2011, Cranbrook has tracked the fifteen AP Exams taken by its’ students, which include; Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Computer Science A, English Language, English Literature, European History, French Language, Latin Virgil, Physics C Mechanics, Spanish Language, Statistics, United States History, and World History.

The average score over that time beats the national average for every single exam, in some cases by 50 percent or more. Additionally, in almost every case Cranbrook has outscored the current national average in every single year.

Of all students who take at least one AP Exam, approximately 18 percent qualify for distinction as an AP Scholar.

Since 2002, the Cranbrook average of AP Scholars was just under 40 percent. For 2011, 43 percent of Cranbrook Students who sat for at least one Exam were named AP Scholars.

In 2011, Cranbrook Schools produced 123 AP Scholars, including 23 with Honors, 45 with Distinction, and 8 National (out of a total of 324 national Scholars in all of Michigan.

These distinctions are, in order of achievement; AP Scholar, AP Scholar with Honor, AP Scholar with Distinction, State AP Scholar, and National AP Scholar. For details on qualifications, please see below.

(From the CollegeBoard)

The AP Program offers several AP Scholar Awards to recognize high school students who have demonstrated college-level achievement through AP courses and exams. Although there is no monetary award, in addition to receiving an award certificate, this achievement is acknowledged on any AP score report that is sent to colleges the following fall.

Granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams.

Granted to students who receive 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.

Granted to students who receive 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.

Granted to the one male and one female student in each U.S. state and the District of Columbia with scores of 3 or higher on the greatest number of AP Exams, and then the highest average score (at least 3.5) on all AP Exams taken.

Granted to students in the United States who receive an average score of at least 4 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams.

See an overview of AP results here.

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