For the City-Times

The Wisconsin Advanced Placement Advisory Council has recognized Stevens Point Area Senior High School as a Pacesetter School for the access it provides students to AP courses and testing opportunities.

The Council rated SPASH as a Level III Pacesetter School, which means at least 10 percent of all students take at least one AP exam and at least 60 percent of those taking exams score three (out of five) or better.

“We have a strong commitment to ensuring students have the opportunities to become truly college and career ready, and access to rigorous Advanced Placement courses and exams is a key component of these efforts,” said Dr. Attila J. Weninger, Superintendent of the Stevens Point Area Public School District. “This award is a reflection of the importance we’ve placed on AP programming at SPASH, as well as excellence in teaching, support staff, families, and most importantly, the achievement of our students. The Pacesetter School award is yet another point of pride for our high-performing senior high school, and we are honored to receive this recognition.”

The Advanced Placement program offers postsecondary-level courses and examinations to high school students across the United States and Canada, allowing individuals to earn college credit on subjects like mathematics, English, social studies, science and more. At the end of the course, students take a standardized exam, in which they may score on a scale of one to five. Students who earn at least a three on the exam qualify for college credit.

The Pacesetter Award, which is unique to Wisconsin, was developed by WAPAC members to recognize the exemplary work of school districts related to AP courses and exams. Through the award, the council also hopes to encourage other districts to promote greater AP access and opportunities for students. WAPAC includes secondary and postsecondary educators working to expand access to AP coursework and learning for students who plan to enter a college or university upon graduation.

To learn more about the Pacesetter School award and the criteria used to examine school districts’ AP excellence, visit http://wise.dpi.wi.gov/about-data-ap-exams.