UCS students receive AP scholar designations

SHELBY TOWNSHIP/UTICA — The College Board, which administers Advanced Placement tests, has announced that 573 Utica Community Schools students have received national scholar designations.

UCS Superintendent Robert Monroe said the district makes sure its students can find rigorous coursework and have success.

“No matter where our students’ interests lie, we will continue to challenge them at their levels and give them a competitive advantage in college and career,” Monroe said.

AP courses, which are offered at all secondary schools, give students the opportunity to earn credit or advanced standing at most of the nation’s colleges and universities.

Students must successfully pass a test administered by the College Board to earn the college credit. Students are graded on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest. 

Honors earned by UCS students this past school year include:

• AP Scholar with Distinction status to 148 students who received an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.

• AP Scholar with Honor status to 97 students who received an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.

• AP Scholar status to 325 students who received scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams. 

In addition, two UCS students received an AP Seminar and Research Certificate, and one student was awarded an AP Capstone Diploma.

In the 2021-22 school year, 2,246 UCS students took a total of 3,804 AP exams. UCS currently offers 31 Advanced Placement courses.

Monroe said Advanced Placement programs are offered at all the district’s post-secondary schools.

“They provide college-level coursework and the opportunity to take an exam that is widely recognized by post-secondary institutions as credit work. We encourage all students — no matter where their post-secondary goals take them — to recognize the benefits of challenging themselves. It is clear that UCS students are taking advantage of our Advanced Placement opportunities. Graduates often report to us that they are starting post-secondary with one to two years of earned credits,” he said.

Lucas Mazurek, an Eisenhower High School senior, said AP courses require hard work and a great deal of effort.

“After you finish the course and exam, you are able to look back upon all the achievements you had throughout the year. These achievements highlight all the positives of participating in an AP class,” he said.

Mazurek said AP courses are vital to take while in high school.

“You are able to push your limits while acquiring new, effective real-world skills. You will learn ever-lasting skills that will be applicable in everyday life, despite the subject. Ultimately, it prepares you for the real world and offers insight on how classes operate at a collegiate level. Plus you can earn college credit if you pass the exam at the end of the year.”