Record-Breaking 105 AP Scholars Recognized at Hoboken High School

Press release from Hoboken Public School District:

HOBOKEN, NJ — The Hoboken Public School District is thrilled to announce that 105 Hoboken High School students have been recognized as AP Scholars for the 2024–2025 testing year. The number of scholars is the highest in school history. This marks a dramatic and sustained rise in academic excellence and access to college-level coursework for students in the district.

AP Scholar designations are awarded by the College Board to high school students who have demonstrated outstanding college-level achievement through Advanced Placement (AP) courses and exams. These awards are internationally recognized and valued indicators of college readiness.

This year, Hoboken High School earned distinctions across every AP Scholar category:

In the 2024–2025 testing year, Hoboken High School celebrated 32 students who were recognized as AP Scholars by earning a score of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams. Ten students achieved the distinction of AP Scholar with Honor by maintaining an average score of at least 3.25 across all AP exams taken and earning scores of 3 or higher on a minimum of four exams. Forty students were named AP Scholars with Distinction for earning an average score of at least 3.5 on all exams and scoring 3 or higher on five or more tests.

Additionally, 21 students were awarded the prestigious AP Capstone Diploma after successfully completing both AP Seminar and AP Research, demonstrating advanced skill in academic inquiry and scholarly research.

Hoboken High School also celebrated a historic first as senior Natasha Anderson became the school’s inaugural recipient of the AP International Diploma (APID), an award that reflects performance consistent with international university admission standards. One additional student earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate, having completed both Capstone courses without meeting the full diploma criteria.

This extraordinary performance reflects a dramatic increase in AP Scholars since 2019, when only 7 students were recognized. Over the last six years, the District has made strategic investments in curriculum, teacher training, scheduling flexibility, and academic counseling to support AP participation and success.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christine Johnson stated, “We are witnessing the impact of a thoughtful and ambitious vision coming to life. We expanded our AP offerings, encouraged every student to challenge themselves, and built a foundation of support. The results speak for themselves. These 105 students represent not just academic achievement, but the power of equity and opportunity in public education.”

The AP Capstone program is an innovative diploma program from College Board that develops students’ skills in research, analysis, evidence-based argument, collaboration, writing, and presenting. This program has become a cornerstone of the school’s AP curriculum. Hoboken High School now has 21 students graduating with the Capstone Diploma, which is up from just 4 three years ago.

Principal Robin Piccapietra emphasized the collective effort behind this success, “This did not happen overnight. Our students rose to the challenge, and our teachers, counselors, and families rallied around them. We have created an academic environment that values curiosity, discipline, and persistence. This is what it means to invest in our young people. When the opportunity is presented, students will grab it and deliver.”

In addition to the significant academic prestige of AP awards, many colleges and universities offer students with high AP Exam scores course credit, advanced placement, or both. This means that Hoboken students are entering higher education with a competitive advantage, both intellectually and financially.

Damian Arnone, Director of District Operations, Guidance, Data Management, and Support Services, added, “We analyze every piece of data, from enrollment to exam performance in order to ensure that students are supported strategically, and encouraged to succeed. This year’s record numbers aren’t just statistics. These numbers represent individual stories of hard work, growth, and resilience. It is deeply rewarding to see our systems of support working in tandem with student ambition.”

To see a complete list of AP Scholars from Hoboken High School: Click Here

As the Hoboken Public School District continues to push boundaries and raise academic standards, this milestone is a clear indication of the district’s success in preparing students for life beyond high school.

This press release was produced by Hoboken Public School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.