Northshore School District Named to Advanced Placement Achievement List

Northshore School District is one of six Washington State school districts and 388 in the nation placed on the Advanced Placement (AP) Achievement List for increasing the number of students participating in AP classes and maintaining the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher on AP exams.

The number of students participating in the AP program increased by 63% from 2008 to 2010, with greater participation of African American, Hispanic and Native American students; and the percentage of students qualifying for college credit based on their scores held steady at 69%.

This achievement aligns with the district’s performance measure to increase the percentage of students taking rigorous, advanced level coursework through programs such as Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, College in the High School and Tech Prep.

“Ideally, we hope to see each of our students take a least two such courses during high school,” said Superintendent Larry Francois. “Research shows that students who take advanced courses not only stand a better chance of getting into college, they also stand a better chance of completing a college degree.”

Advanced Placement courses are offered at all district comprehensive high schools. Inglemoor High School offers some AP course in addition to the International Baccalaureate program. At Bothell High School, they have made it a focus over the last several years to provide the opportunity for students to take Advanced Placement courses and the numbers are increasing.

offers 30 sections of AP courses this year. Each department is asked to think of an AP course to offer students, and electives are built around the AP program so students don’t have to cut out electives like music to take AP.

“We encourage every student to follow their passion to extend their learning at a more advanced level,” said Woodinville High School Principal Vicki Puckett. “I tell students that if you take just one course, you are successful because you challenged yourself at a higher level.”

She said students who start by taking an AP class in their area of interest are more apt to complete the course and do well.

Taking AP classes also provides a financial incentive for families because students can earn college-level credit if they score a 3, 4 or 5 on the AP exam. “With today’s cost of college, this is another incentive our families are pursuing,” said Puckett.

The school will continue to offer a wide menu of AP course offerings and push their goal of encouraging all students to participate. For more information about the district’s AP program, please contact the counselor at the high school your child will attend.

Northshore is the 11th largest school district in Washington with more than 19,000 students in 20 elementary, six junior high and three high schools, an alternative high school, a home school program and a preschool program.