UPPER MARLBORO, MD – More Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) students are taking – and passing – Advanced Placement (AP) exams than ever before. According to data released by the College Board this month, 5,395 students took AP exams during the 2011-2012 school year, up nearly a half-percent from the previous year.

“Our school district is making steady progress in preparing students for the rigors of college-level work,” said Dr. Alvin L. Crawley, Interim Superintendent of Schools. “We have expanded opportunities for AP coursework, aligned curriculum to the content of AP exams, and covered the costs of AP testing so that all students – regardless of their economic status – can take part.”

Through the PGCPS AP-8 initiative, the current standard is to offer a minimum of 8 AP courses in each high school. Enrollment in AP courses has steadily increased over the past several years, with 9,633 students enrolled in 2012, compared to 9,339 in 2011. The number of AP exams that were graded a “3” or higher increased 9.7%, from 2,222 in the 2010-11 school year to 2,437 in 2011-12. Additionally, the number of Hispanic students taking AP exams rose dramatically, increasing 17.6% from 550 to 647.

The data also demonstrates that more PGCPS students are taking the SAT. During the 2010-11 school year, 5,145 seniors took the SAT; this past year, that number rose to 5,192. The number of Hispanic students taking the SAT rose significantly, increasing by 19.9%. Although participation in the SAT grew, overall scores dropped slightly from an average of 1282 to 1274 in 2012.

To encourage more students to take the SAT this year, PGCPS provided a free opportunity this fall for students to take part in a systemic SAT test-taking day. An additional opportunity to take the SAT is planned for the spring.