27 from York High School Named National AP Scholars for 2015

Published September 17, 2015. Submitted by Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205.

​Twenty-seven York Community High School students have earned National Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar status in recognition of their exceptional achievement on last May’s AP Exams. An additional 142 were honored as an AP Scholar with Distinction, while another 65 were honored as an AP Scholar with Honor. In addition, 106 were named AP Scholars. A total of 313 Scholars earned an average score of 4.09 on a total of 1928 exams.

Those qualifying for the National AP Scholar award earned an average score of 4 or higher (on a 5-point scale) on all AP Exams taken and scores of 4 or higher on 8 or more of these exams.

York students so honored include: Marc Backas, Brian Baker, Brooke Bandy, Anthony Bertucci, Kayla Cartwright, Laurel Chamberlin, Nathan Dale, Meghan Flynn, Catherine Grasse, Erica Hackett, Sarah Heinz, Joshua Hoeksema, Hope Kaliski, Matthew Kleinhans, Spencer Kost, Clayton Lyons, Martin McDonough, Allison Meyer, Sarah O’Donnell, Vanessa Peters, Matthew Plowman, Kanchi Shah, Amy Strauch, Anna Strauss, Alexander Teague, Danielle Wales and Hannah Widmaier. All were members of the graduating Class of 2015, with the exception of Sarah O’Donnell who is a York senior this school year. Their average score was 4.65 on 257 exams.

“We are very proud of our scholars, both current and former students,” noted York Principal Diana Smith. “AP Scholar designation is recognition of exceptional academic focus and dedication. We extend our appreciation to the AP teachers who played an important role in preparing them.”

Those qualifying for the AP Scholar with Distinction award earned an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on 5 or more of these exams. The average score of the 142 York students so recognized was 4.22 on a total of 993 exams.

AP Scholar with Honor recognition is granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on 4 or more of these exams. The average score of the 65 York students so honored was 3.84 on a total of 298 exams.

AP Scholar status is granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on 3 or more AP Exams. The average score of the 106 York students so recognized was 3.60 on 380 exams.

“It is always an honor to celebrate the accomplishments of our students,” said Superintendent Dr. David Moyer. “We have students who excel in a wide variety of ways, and we value them all. Receiving AP Scholar recognition is one especially challenging academic feat, and are very proud of those who have earned this status.”

Governor Bruce Rauner recently signed legislation that requires all Illinois public colleges and universities to give students credit for a score of three or better on 34 of the Advanced Placement course examinations. Currently, the minimum score required for college credit ranges between two and five, depending on the type of test and the school that the student wants to attend. The new law will go into effect in 2016-17.

Founded in 1900, the College Board is a mission-driven not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity. Its 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 AP Exams.