Laguna Beach Named Among College Board's AP Districts of the Year

Laguna Beach Unified and Los Alamitos Unified school districts were the only Orange County districts named to the College Board’s AP Districts of the Year this week.

The board honored 367 districts nationwide that managed to offer advanced placement classes to more students last year while also improving their scores on the board’s AP tests. The tests allows passing high school students to enter college with course credits in subjects such as English, math, science and history. The accomplishment contradicts a national trend in which more schools are offering AP classes while fewer students are passing AP tests. The percentage of students earning a 3 or higher on a grading scale of 1 to a top score of 5 has been on the decline since 2001.

“We are extremely pleased that the performance of our teachers and students in the Advanced Placement programs have resulted in our ranking as one of the most highly respected school districts in the nation,” said Laguna Beach Unified School District Superintendent Sherine Smith. "Our School Board, administrators, parents, and support staff serve important roles in student success as well. Together, we provide the gold standard of education in Laguna Beach Unified School District.”

The College Board also recognized districts where more than half the AP students were from traditionally under-represented minority groups such as African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans. There were 18 California school districts on the list – down from 37 the year before.

"Participation in college-level AP courses can level the playing field for underserved students, give them the confidence needed to succeed in college, and raise standards and performance in key subjects like science and math," said College Board President Gaston Caperton. "The AP Honor Roll districts are defying expectations by expanding access while enabling their students to maintain or improve their AP Exam scores."

To make the list, districts had to increase participation in AP classes by at least 4 percent.