Three of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston’s Catholic high schools are among only seven in the state to earn The AP (Advanced Placement) School Honor Roll Award, a recognition for the best of the best in outstanding achievements for college readiness.
Interim Superintendent Jennifer Hornyak said the accolade is a significant testament to academic excellence, student work ethic, accountability, and mission of the Catholic Schools in West Virginia.
“We are so proud of this distinction not only for our Catholic schools, but also for our students, their families, and our teachers,” Hornyak said. “When you are a member of our Catholic schools you are an important part of our team that works hard to remain focused on living our united mission, ‘accompany families in challenging children to recognize, develop, and share their
God-given gifts and talents.’”
Charleston Catholic High School (Charleston), Notre Dame High School (Clarksburg), and Central Catholic High School (Wheeling), were recognized along with four other WV high schools. Charleston Catholic High School earned top honors designated as a Platinum Award Winner. Notre Dame earned the Silver Award, and Central Catholic High School the Bronze Award. All of these schools are being showcased by AP and the College Board for their commitment to increasing college-bound culture, providing opportunities for students to earn
college credit, and maximizing college readiness.
There are four levels of distinction: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. For a school to be recognized on the AP School Honor Roll in a given year, it must meet each of the following criteria for their students in the most recent graduating class (2023); and these criteria are
anchored in research-based relationships between AP and college outcomes:
o College Culture: 40% or more of the graduating cohort took at least 1 AP Exam
during high school.
o College Credit: 25% or more of the graduating cohort scored a 3 or higher on at
least 1 AP Exam during high school.
o College Optimization: 2% or more of the graduating cohort took 5 or more AP
Exams during high school. At least 1 of those exams was taken in 9th or 10th grade, so that students are spreading their AP experience across grades rather than feeling disproportionate pressure in any single year.
“I am proud of our students for choosing challenging academic courses and working hard to complete the coursework with high levels of achievement,” Hornyak said. “We expect a lot from our students and encourage them to exceed their own expectations in the classroom,
community, and our churches. We want them to think bigger.”
The Catholic Schools of West Virginia prioritize not only grade level aptitude, but also college and career readiness in a strong faith-based environment, Hornyak said. In order to provide the best opportunities for our students, our teachers must also be forward-thinking and
lifelong learners.
“Our principals and teachers are the cornerstone of our Catholic schools, and their dedication to their students is inspiring,” Hornyak said. “Accolades our schools and students receive are a direct reflection of our educators, who demonstrate their own commitment to be
high achieving lifelong learners and promoters of a growth mindset.”
Wheeling’s Central Catholic High School was also awarded the AP Access Award, identifying it as a school with a clear and effective commitment to equitable access to advanced coursework. Schools earn the additional award if the percentage of AP Exam takers who are
underrepresented minority and/or low-income students mirrors the school’s overall student demographics. (For example, if 50% of a school’s student body is low income, then 50% of the AP Exam takers must also be low income for a school to receive the AP Access Award.)
In the US, US Territories, and Canada only 30 percent of eligible schools are recognized for creating elite AP programs. This year 4,570 schools make up that 30 percent. Only seven of those are in WV. It is important to note of those top schools:
- 886 schools (6% of eligible schools) received Platinum level AP School Honor Roll
recognition. - 914 schools (6% of eligible schools) received Gold level AP School Honor Roll
recognition. - 1,430 schools (9% of eligible schools) received Silver level AP School Honor Roll
recognition. - 1,340 schools (9% of eligible schools) received Bronze level AP School Honor Roll
recognition.
For more information about AP go to: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org.
