For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS — Thirty-Five students at Lincoln High School have earned AP Scholar Awards in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the 2016-17 AP Examinations.

The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program (AP) provides willing 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. Only about 20% of all students who take AP exams are named as AP Scholars.

Last year Lincoln High School offered fifteen AP courses.

The College Board recognizes several levels of achievement based on students’ performance on AP Exams. At  Lincoln High School : 

● One student qualified as a National AP Scholar by earning an average score of at least 4.0 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams.

● Six students qualified 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.

● Twelve students qualified 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.

● Seventeen students qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three or more AP Exams with scores of 3 or higher.

Of this year’s award recipients at Lincoln High School, twelve are current juniors or seniors. These students have at least one more year in which to complete college-level work and possibly earn a higher-level AP Scholar Award. Through 34 different college-level courses and exams, AP 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. More than 3600 colleges and universities annually receive AP scores.

Most four-year colleges in the United States provide credit and/or advanced placement for qualifying exam scores. Research consistently shows that AP students who score a 3 or higher on AP Exams typically experience greater academic success in college and have higher college graduation rates than students who do not participate in AP.