RR high schools near top in AP program
Students honored for high level of exam participation
Rio Rancho’s two high schools are near the top of the state for growth in the rigorous Advanced Placement program, which allows students to get a jump on higher education by earning college credits before they graduate.
Overall, Rio Rancho High ranked second and Cleveland High third for boosting AP tests, with a total of 966 kids completing 1,472 exams across both schools in 2016, up from 1,276 exams the year before. Half of Rio Rancho’s students passed in the latest round of testing, well above the 35 percent rate statewide.
During a news conference held at district headquarters Thursday, Gov. Susana Martinez said she brags about Rio Rancho’s performance around the state.
“To have second and third right here in Rio Rancho — pretty good,” she said. “Congratulations to you. It’s amazing that you have all accomplished this together, and we’re all watching to see what you do next. ... Keep aiming high.”
New Mexico as a whole has seen a dramatic increase in AP participation, placing it second in the nation for year-over-year percentage growth in the number of students taking an AP exam and the total number of AP exams taken.
More than 10,000 New Mexico students tackled at least one AP test in 2016, a 17-percent boost from the previous year. In total, roughly 15,700 exams were taken and 35 percent were passed, adding up to nearly 17,000 in potential college credits and $3.55 million saved on tuition costs.
Hobbs High, which receives grant funding for AP classes, came in number one for AP growth statewide.
“These courses are some of the most challenging our students can take,” Martinez said. “This just confirms everything I’ve always said over and over — that every child can learn. And I believe that from the bottom of my heart, that every single child, no matter your circumstances, no matter where you come from, and no matter what language you speak, every single child can learn.”
In addition, the state came in fourth nationally for providing AP access to lowincome students thanks to a state program that helps cover the $93 exam fee.
Cleveland High School senior Ethan Sena said he was grateful for the financial support, which helped him pass seven AP classes in the past few years. The aspiring mechanical engineer also recently became the first Cleveland student to win an internship at Sandia National Laboratories.
“With three other brothers and the many AP exams I take every year, the reduced prices that I get greatly help everything that I do,” he said. “AP courses have really changed my life. I am better prepared for the next six to seven years throughout col-
lege pursuing a very vigorous education in mechanical engineering.”
Rio Rancho Public Schools has worked hard to offer AP classes to many students while also maintaining high passing rates, according to LaJuana Coleman, executive director of secondary curriculum and instruction.
Coleman said she is very proud to have seen RRPS’ AP program grow from a handful of classes in 2003 to 25 today, ranging from geography to French, statistics and environmental science.
“There have been so many in this district who have been really persistent and diligent in their work for Rio Rancho to become a lighthouse district on AP,” she added.
The good news came a day after New Mexico received a dismal 49th place ranking in Education Week’s latest “Quality Counts” study — a review of various measures from pre-K enrollment to graduation rates.
Education Secretary Hanna Skandera noted that the report didn’t factor in more positive data from this year, including the recent AP growth.