Anne Arundel County Public Schools continues to be recognized for its work in preparing students for college level exams, with 11 of the county’s 12 high schools – two more than a year ago – placing in the state’s top 50 on the 2013 Challenge Index.
The nationally recognized index, published by The Washington Post, ranks schools and school systems across the country. It takes into account Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and other college-level exams given to graduating seniors.
“This is great news for our county, and most importantly for our students,” Superintendent Kevin Maxwell said. “We have a lot of work left to do as we continue to try to address the needs of every single student, but this index makes it crystal clear that across our county, more students are more prepared for college than they have ever been.”
AACPS administered 13,235 AP exams in the 2011-2012 school year,
a record for the system. Since the 2006-2007 school year, the number of AP exams taken by AACPS students has increased by 75 percent.
South River is the top county school in Maryland on the index, ranking seventh with an index of 4.737, meaning the school administers that many advanced placement exams per graduating senior. Severna Park (3.551) is next at 13th, followed by Annapolis (3.355, 17th), Broadneck (3.197, 19th), Arundel (2.964, 23rd), and Old Mill (2.960, 24th). North County (2.621) leapt from 61st to 31st on the list, followed by Chesapeake (2.556, 33rd), Southern (2.538, 34th), Northeast (2.279, 44th), Meade (2.168, 48th), and Glen Burnie (1.293, 96th).
Ten of the county’s 12 high schools improved their index rating this year. On the regional list, which ranks Maryland, Virginia, and District of Columbia schools, South River is 16th, Severna Park is 38th, and Annapolis is 47th.
All 12 of the county’s comprehensive high schools have rankings that place them in the top 9 percent of high schools nationwide.