Kendall Anderson, a junior at Seaforth High School, achieved a perfect score on her Advanced Placement (AP) United States Government and Politics exam, placing her among only 48 students globally to do so. This perfect score puts Anderson in the top 0.01% of students worldwide who scored all possible points on the exam.
The AP program, provided by the College Board, offers rigorous college-level courses to high school students. These students can earn college credit with a score of 3 or higher. In North Carolina, public high schools offer 38 AP courses, with exam fees covered for all state public high school students through the North Carolina AP Partnership. North Carolina is one of only 12 states in the U.S. that fully fund AP exams for all public school students.
Chatham County Schools students performed well on their AP exams, with 65% of tests taken earning scores of Level 3 or higher versus 59.2% statewide. Additionally, 96 Chatham County students scored a Level 5, the highest possible. The AP exams are given once per year, in May.
"We are immensely proud of our dedicated students and the unwavering support from our educators," said Superintendent Dr. Anthony D. Jackson in a Chatham County Schools press release. "These achievements embody Chatham County Schools' commitment to excellence, and these students deserve recognition."
After a decline in AP participation during the pandemic, the number of North Carolina students taking AP exams has now surpassed the national average, claims the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The performance gap for Black and Hispanic students has also narrowed.
The number of AP tests taken increased by 11.2% in North Carolina over the past school year, compared to a 7.6% increase nationwide.
"Not only are we broadening access to advanced level courses for students, we are also supporting their success," said Sneha Shah-Coltrane, director of advanced learning and gifted education for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. "We are making sure students have access to AP courses and also the high-quality education and support they need to be successful. We will continue to work with our schools for equity and excellence — so that each student has the opportunity to be their best."
The College Board maintains that passing AP tests is an indicator of whether students will complete all four years of college. It also helps students earn college credit and ultimately save on costs.
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Chatham County students who scored a level 5 on their 2023 AP exams:
Chatham Central High School
Graduate — Ryder Anderson
Jordan-Matthews High School
Grade 11 — Daniela Flores Briones
Grade 12 — Andrey Urena, Anthony Santiago, Brandon Rodriguez-Herrera, Chloe Dickerson, Christian Ayala, Christian Garcia Torres, Daniela De La Sancha, Fatima Lavariega, Hannia Martinez Quiroz, Honorio Castro Sanchez, Iris Sibrian Zetino, Jair Ruiz, Jason De Paz Rodriguez, Jillian Bogart, Josmar Martinez, Karsyn Vann, Lizbeth Tellez-Canuto, Marleny Escobedo, Merary Lopez
Graduates — Calvin Conroy, Dalila Canela Rocha, Estefani D. De Paz Rodriguez, Jennifer Garcia Torres, Laisha Zagada Amador, Margaret Thornton, Nathalie Gonzalez
Northwood High School
Grade 11 — Andi Wicker, Carter Crisp-Sears, Elizabeth Hall, Helgi Davis, Jesse Sikes, Marina Cofresi
Grade 12 — Amelia Gilligan, Cole Dail, Frey Davis, Griffin Hobbs, Jack Bacheler, Kate Dydynski, Kaylee Fisher, Marcella Willett
Graduates — Abilene Dasher, Alexandra Anthenien, Ariadna Camareno Rojas, Beckett Brantley, Brandt Anderson, Catherine Hall, Charlie Nicholas, Eden Priddle, Emily Williams, Jacob Garrett, Jonathan Galbraith, Katelyn Griffin, Kyler Sriwudhthanun, Lillian Collins, Lily Fowler, Lily Witcher, Margaret Richardson, Mason Cook, Matteus Butler, Monet Barton, Oliver Ewy, Reyvadee Godehn, Sam Jump, Samantha Thurber, Sarah Emrich, Savannah Matthews, Sophia Roberts, William Sikes
Seaforth High School
Grade 10 — Katherine Leonard
Grade 11 — Anna Guzzo, Bailey Shadoan, Henry McFall, Jackson Vaughn, Jacob Phillips, Jonathan Trott, Josie Quick, Kaitlyn Zanga, Kendall Anderson, Kyle Stinson, Natalia Davis, Paige Vanderveen, William Cuicchi
Grade 12 — Andrew Jeong, Benjamin Weathers, Christopher Atkins, Fiona Xiao, Luka Cfarku, Mordecai Mengesteab, Nicholas Jerkovich, Olivia Van Duinen, Robert Burleigh, Sophia Serrano, Tate Wilson, Tyler McGrath