Armuchee High, Coosa High and Model High have been recognized as Advanced Placement Honor Schools in Georgia for 2007-2008. The Floyd County high schools were among 23 in Georgia designated as AP Challenge Schools by Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools, during a speech to the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders (GAEL) earlier this week.   "Georgia is a national leader in the growth of students who are taking and succeeding in AP courses," Superintendent Cox said. "These schools have made a commitment to high standards and they deserve to be recognized for their efforts." 

Dr. J.C. Burris, principal of Armuchee High was invited to the announcement speech to represent the schools in the AP Challenge category.  Dr. Burris and Armuchee High were presented to the assembled leaders of Georgia’s schools as representative of schools with high academic standards and a commitment to offering rigorous academic programs for students.  The move to a more extensive offering of advanced courses for students in Floyd County Schools began with the introduction of the Honors College Prep Program in the fall of 2002.  This advanced program of study for students in Floyd County Schools is among the top college preparatory programs in Northwest Georgia. The comprehensive, rigorous, advanced program of study is designed to prepare students for the most demanding college or university.  Honors College Prep is available at all four Floyd County high schools. Students completing this program are guaranteed ready for college. The expansion of Advanced Placement class offerings was a major component in raising the level of academic opportunities available to students in Floyd County.

Advanced Placement classes and exams are administered by the College Board and offer rigorous college-level learning options to students in high school. Students who receive a 3, 4 or 5 on AP exams can receive college credit. 

   Georgia is recognizing AP Honor Schools in three categories:

• AP Challenge Schools: Schools with 900 or fewer students that offer at least one AP course in each of the four traditional core areas -- English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies.
• AP Access and Support Schools: Schools with at least 30% of their AP test takers identified as African-American or Hispanic and 30% of all AP exams earning scores of three (3) or higher.
• AP Merit Schools: Schools that have at least 20 percent of its students taking AP exams and at least half of its AP exams receiving a score of three (3) or higher. 

 Pepperell High school just missed making the list of AP Challenge schools.  Pepperell offered AP courses in English, mathematics, science, and social studies but the AP science class did not enroll enough students to begin the class this year.  All Floyd County high schools are committed to providing the course offerings to prepare students for success at the post secondary level.  “Research tells us that a strong advanced academic program raises the level of achievement for all students,” Interim-superintendent Dr. Lynn Plunkett said.  “Floyd County Schools is committed to providing programs of academic excellence that will prepare students for the next step in life.”   

Since the beginning of the Honors College Prep program, the number of Floyd County students taking AP classes has more than doubled from 144 in 2003 to 362 in 2007.  Armuchee High students enrolled in AP classes has risen from 41 to a high of 85 during that time period.  Coosa High’s enrollment has grown from 58 students to 128.  Model High’s participation has exploded from 7 to a high of 93 and Pepperell enrollment has grown from 38 to a high of 94 students enrolled in AP courses.  Floyd County has exceeded the percentage of state growth which nearly doubled from 21,704 in 2002 to over 43,000 in 2007.    "AP is an important part of offering a rigorous education to our public school students," Superintendent Cox said. "Our Honor Schools are leading the way in helping us expand the number of AP classes we offer and helping us grow the success our students are having on AP exams."