Rockland High School AP Scores Skyrocket to 70% Pass Rate

District celebrates significant jump from previous year's 46%, with some subjects achieving 100% success

ROCKLAND, MA - October 15 - Rockland High School students have achieved a remarkable increase in Advanced Placement (AP) exam pass rates, jumping from 46% to 70% in just one year. The school now offers 14 AP courses, with some subjects boasting pass rates as high as 100%.

Principal Cheryl Shipper presented the impressive results to the School Committee on Tuesday, Oct. 15. The data shows a significant improvement in AP performance, with 287 exams taken and an average score of 3.1 out of 5.

"That is huge," Shipper said. "To go from a 46% pass rate to a 70% pass rate in one year is exceptional."

The school's AP offerings include art, biology, calculus, chemistry, computer science, English language and literature, environmental science, European history, physics, psychology, seminar, statistics and U.S. history.

Notably, all students who took AP Research and AP Art passed their exams. Other standout subjects include AP English Literature with an 88% pass rate, Environmental Science at 80%, and U.S. History at 85.2%.

Superintendent Dr. Cron expressed pride in the scores, noting that the district has been pushing for increased AP enrollment since 2012.

"This is something little old Rockland is doing exceptionally well in advanced placement, which is a very important story to tell," Cron said.

The success extends beyond just test scores. Cron highlighted that 52% of the graduating class took an AP exam at some point in high school, with 34% scoring a 3 or higher on at least one exam.

"These are busy kids achieving great things," Shipper said, crediting both students and teachers for their hard work.

In addition, the School Committee meeting addressed plans to enhance district-wide communication strategies.

Dr. Cron outlined several initiatives aimed at improving communication within the district and with the public. These include implementing learning walks for administrators, updating digital resources, and increasing the frequency of sharing good news.

"I think we do a very good job of communicating in this district, but we want to continue to get better at it," Cron said.

One key aspect of the communication plan involves administrators visiting different schools to gain a broader understanding of the district's operations. Cron emphasized the importance of breaking down silos between schools and fostering a more cohesive district culture.

"I want the high school to understand the role of the early childhood center, and especially preschool and early intervention," he explained.

The district also plans to review and update its website, mobile app, and other communication platforms to ensure they are effective and up-to-date.

Cron stressed the importance of formalizing a district communication plan, stating, "I want folks to know, if something happens, where to go and how they're going to get the information."

Another focus is increasing the frequency of sharing positive news about the district. Cron believes it's crucial for the public to be aware of the good things happening in Rockland Public Schools.

"If we don't tell them, then it's almost like it doesn't happen in many cases," he said.

The meeting also touched on the district's commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable culture. This includes promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion through professional development and support for building-based committees.