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WHEELING -- Wheeling Central Catholic High School recently received a pair of honors related to the Advanced Placement test, according to the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.
Central not only earned the AP School Honor Roll Bronze Award for its achievements, but also earned the AP Access Award for its commitment to equitable access to advanced coursework. CCHS was one of just seven schools in West Virginia to earn an AP School Honor Roll Award. Two others, Charleston Catholic High School and Notre Dame High School in Clarksburg, are part of the diocese.
Interim Superintendent Jennifer Hornyak said the accolade is a significant testament to academic excellence, student work ethic, accountability, and mission of the Catholic Schools in West Virginia.
"We are so proud of this distinction not only for our Catholic schools, but also for our students, their families, and our teachers," Hornyak said. "When you are a member of our Catholic schools, you are an important part of our team that works hard to remain focused on living our united mission, 'accompany families in challenging children to recognize, develop, and share their God-given gifts and talents.'"
For a school to be recognized on the AP School Honor Roll in a given year, it must meet each of three criteria for their students in the most recent graduating class.
These criteria are anchored in research-based relationships between AP and college outcomes:
– College Culture: 40% or more of the graduating cohort took at least one AP exam during high school.
– College Credit: 25% or more of the graduating cohort scored a 3 or higher on at least one AP exam during high school.
– College Optimization: 2% or more of the graduating cohort took five or more AP exams during high school.
At least one of those exams was taken in 9th or 10th grade, so that students are spreading their AP experience across grades rather than feeling disproportionate pressure in any single year.
"I am proud of our students for choosing challenging academic courses and working hard to complete the coursework with high levels of achievement," Hornyak said. "We expect a lot from our students and encourage them to exceed their own expectations in the classroom, community, and our churches. We want them to think bigger."
Charleston Catholic earned a Platinum Award, while Notre Dame earned a Silver Award.
Central's AP Access Award identifies it as a school with a clear and effective commitment to equitable access to advanced coursework. Schools earn the additional award if the percentage of AP exam takers who are underrepresented minority and/or low-income students mirrors the school's overall student demographics.
In the United States, U.S. Territories, and Canada only 30% of eligible schools are recognized for creating elite AP programs. This year, 4,570 schools make up that 30%. Of those schools, 1,340 (9% of eligible schools) received Bronze level AP School Honor Roll recognition.