April 30, 2008 Schools’ performance on 2007 Advanced Placement exams released by the State Department of Education show 17 percent more Horry County Schools’ students participated in AP courses and took AP exams than in 2006. Districtwide, 740 students participated in AP courses, an increase of 112 over the 628 who participated last year. These students took a total of 1,044 exams, an increase of 153 from 891 exams taken in 2006. The district’s percentage of students scoring between 3-5 on AP exams decreased to 53.4 percent, down 1.6 percentage points from 55 percent last year. Generally, scores greater than 3 allow students to receive college credit for an AP course taken in high school. Since 1984, South Carolina has paid for AP instructional materials, paid students’ test fees and offered specialized training for teachers. Every student enrolled in an AP course is required to take the test. The five most-taken AP exams in 2007 were the same five as the previous year: United States History, English Literature and Composition, English Language and Composition, Calculus, and Biology. The State Department of Education also released data on the South Carolina high schools that are part of the International Baccalaureate, a Geneva, Switzerland-based diploma program that offers students intensive academic preparation. South Carolina’s participating schools are among nearly 2,000 IB schools in 124 countries around the world. Aynor High School and Socastee High School both offer IB programs. At Aynor High School, 32 students participated in IB courses and took 51 IB exams. Of the 51 tests, 32, or 63 percent, received a score of 4 or higher, equal to satisfactory, good, very good, or excellent performance. At Socastee High School, 61 students participated in IB courses and took 120 IB exams. Of the 120 tests, 98, or 82 percent, received a score of 4 or higher, equal to satisfactory, good, very good, or excellent performance. Aynor High School had five students attempt an IB diploma, but results were not reported due to the small number of students attempting the diploma. Socastee High School had 10 students attempt an IB diploma and seven, or 70 percent, earned diplomas. Below are individual AP results from nine district high schools and two academies. Results indicate the school, number of participating students, number of exams taken and the passage rate of students earning a score of 3 or higher: - Aynor High School; 32 students, 46 AP exams, 57% scored 3 or higher;
- Carolina Forest High School; 96 students, 127 AP exams, 74% scored 3 or higher;
- Conway High School; 90 students, 99 AP exams, 29% scored 3 or higher;
- Green Sea Floyds High School; 6 students, 6 AP exams; scores are not reported for this school due to the few number of exams taken;
- Loris High School; 72 students, 94 AP exams, 13% scored 3 or higher;
- Myrtle Beach High School; 65 students, 105 AP exams, 77% scored 3 or higher;
- North Myrtle Beach High School; 79 students, 133 AP exams, 51% scored 3 or higher;
- Socastee High School; 99 students, 175 AP exams, 63% scored 3 or higher;
- St. James High School; 97 students, 148 AP exams, 48% scored 3 or higher;
- Academy for Arts, Science and Technology; 76 students, 117 AP exams, 56% scored 3 or higher; and
- Academy for Technology and Academics; 28 students, 28 AP exams; scores are not reported for this school due to the few number of exams taken.
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