During the 2020-2021 school year, the high school’s students received higher overall scores on AP exams than previous years in spite of virtual classes and learning changes.

“Fifteen students got a 5 on the AP test [in 2021],” AP Biology teacher Sadaf Syed said. “This is significantly higher than the state average and national average for the amount of students.”

AP English Language students received an 80% pass rate, AP US History had an 89% pass rate, and AP Biology had 70% pass. Despite mixed virtual and in-person learning, students connected with the material through discussion.

“I think my students were a lot more open to discussion because they missed it, and this was their only social interaction,” AP English Language teacher Jasen Eairheart said. “I think that did open up a lot more students to share their thoughts.”

The school stopped offering online learning for the 2021-2022 school year, which sparked discussion and face-to-face connections.

“A lot of success had to do with how when any one of us faces something difficult, I think we rise up to the challenge and [students] saw that it was going to be difficult,” Syed said. “They worked very hard to master the content and they did exceptionally well.”