Nov 4, 2017 3 min read

Students at Trinity High School and other local schools have dramatically increased their number of qualifying scores on Advanced Placement exams in the 2016-17 school year.

At Trinity High School, the number of qualifying scores in AP math, science and English exams increased by 188 percent from the 2015-16 school year.

Trinity ranked first in the nation for the greatest percentage increase of qualifying scores in math, science and English among the more than 5,000 schools across the country, and 318 schools in Pennsylvania, where students took at least 50 AP exams, according to the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI).

Nationally, Ringgold High School ranked first for the greatest percentage increase of qualifying scores in math, science and English among over 7,000 schools with a baseline of 20 AP exams.

Students at Ringgold earned 105 qualifying scores.

At Chartiers-Houston High School, the number of qualifying scores in math, science and English exams rose significantly, to 44 in 2016-17, up from five in 2015-16.

“We’re obviously very proud of the results,” said Thomas Samosky, Trinity High School principal.

The school districts implemented NMSI at their high schools through grant funding. NMSI’s mission is to increase student performance in the subjects of science, technology, engineering and math.

NMSI also provides training for AP teachers.

Trinity, Chartiers-Houston, McGuffey and Ringgold partnered to provide Saturday study sessions for students enrolled in AP courses. NMSI flies in consultants – experts in AP math, science and English – to host the study sessions.

AP courses are designed to show mastery of college-level skills and earn students course credits at colleges and universities. Trinity offers 21 AP courses, while Ringgold offers 11 and Chartiers-Houston has increased its offerings to 8 AP courses.

“Our numbers, regarding participation and qualifying scores, have skyrocketed,” said Sean McNally, guidance counselor at Chartiers-Houston High School. “We were one of the bigger movers in terms of participation and increasing qualifying scores. The Saturday study sessions were well-attended. I would suggest that any school district that has an opportunity to use NMSI should take advantage of it. One thing students understand now is the intensity and the amount of work and study that goes into a college-level course. This prepares them for post-secondary education.”

Samosky said student participation in Trinity’s NMSI-related AP courses has grown. Enrollment in AP physics has increased 85 percent over the prior year, while AP chemistry enrollment has grown 75 percent and AP calculus has grown 75 percent.

“We want to offer our students challenging courses and provide them with the opportunity to earn college credit during the school day,” said Superintendent Michael Lucas. “Kids want to be in these classes now.”

NMSI also provides a financial incentive. Students who earn a score of three or higher on AP exams receive $100 for each passing mark.

Trinity received $14,700 in rewards from NMSI, which was distributed to 77 students, while Ringgold students were awarded over $10,000. Chartiers-Houston students earned a total of $4,400 for their qualifying scores.

Samosky said the AP courses will prepare students for the rigors of college and ready them for STEM jobs, and noted a recent study estimates there will be 29,000 STEM-related jobs opening in southwestern Pennsylvania every year for the next 10 years.