For the second consecutive year, George H.W. Bush New Tech Odessa has earned a place on the College Board’s AP School Honor Roll. The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose Advanced Placement (AP) program is delivering results for students while broadening access.
The AP School Honor Roll recognizes a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit and maximizing college readiness. NTO is a Bronze member of the Honor Roll due to having 86% of seniors who took at least one AP Exam during high school, 25% of seniors scoring a three or higher on at least one AP Exam, and 5% of seniors who took five or more AP Exams.
NTO is being further recognized with the AP Access Award, which honors schools that encourage more low-income and underrepresented minority students to take AP courses. The percentage of students taking AP Exams 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.
“It takes a schoolwide effort to make AP access a priority,” NTO Principal Abel Avila said in a news release. “I am grateful for and inspired by the dedicated teachers, counselors, administrators, students and parents here at New Tech Odessa.”
Research shows students who take AP courses and exams are more likely to attend college and graduate on time. And even for those who don’t earn college credit, advanced coursework provides early exposure to college-level work and contributes to a college-going school culture.
