Thirty-five students at Montoursville Area High School have earned AP Scholar Awards in recognition of their exceptional achievement on AP Exams for the 2013 school year. For a school the size of Montoursville, this is quite an accomplishment and has helped the school earn national recognition as designated by Newsweek magazine’s Silver Award for high schools of excellence.

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. About 20 percent of the 2.1 million students worldwide who took AP Exams performed at a sufficiently high level to also earn an AP Scholar Award.

The College Board recognizes several levels of achievement based on students’ performance on AP exams.

Three students qualified for the National AP Scholar Award by earning an average score of 4 or higher on a five-point scale on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams. These students are Brendan Hocker, Nicole Payne and Karen Schulte.

Fourteen 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. These students are James Anthony, Abigail Caviston, Dalton Cristini, Tori Garman, Brendan Hocker, Ian Jones, Payton Lynch, Jenalee Morris, Rose Morris, Nicole Payne, Nicholas Ripley, Karen Schulte, Stephanie Sorage and Alyson Stoner.

Seven 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. These students are Andrew Akers, Autumn Anthony, Connor Bassett, Ashley Larson, Cody Lathrop, Taylor Strein and Joshua Walker.

Eleven students qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three or more AP Exams with scores of 3 or higher. The AP Scholars are Hanna Cioffi, William Confer, Chloe Gillum, Sarah Griggs, Richard Hernandez, Alyssa Kriner, Cameron Ott, Jonathan Rhodes, Emily Rittenhouse, Valerie Stetts and Trevor Williams.

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 3,800 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 (based on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest) typically experience greater academic success in college and have higher college graduation rates than students who do not participate in AP.

The College Board is a mission-driven not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the College Board was created to expand access to higher education. Today, the membership association is made up of over 6,000 of the world’s leading educational institutions and is dedicated to promoting excellence and equity in education. Each year, the College Board helps more than seven million students prepare for a successful transition to college through programs and services in college readiness and college success – including the SAT and the Advanced Placement Program. The organization also serves the education community through research and advocacy on behalf of students, educators and schools.

Montoursville Area High School’s Advanced Placement program, dedication to music and the arts, and many elective opportunities give students a well-rounded education for college and career. Montoursville offers 13 Advanced Placement courses and is recognized by the Washington Post as one of the nation’s Most Challenging High Schools. In 2013, Montoursville received national recognition from US News & World Report and Newsweek.