CHS Recognized by Washington Post for Challenging Students to Take AP Classes

For the third straight year, Charlottesville High School is the only area public or private school on the Washington Post‘s annual list of  “America’s Most Challenging High Schools.”

The annual honor, announced in April, recognizes high schools that encourage a wide array of students to take college-level Advanced Placement classes and tests. (Click here for the full list.) Over the course of the next few weeks, 443 CHS students will take 992 exams for 26 different AP classes. In addition, in 2013, the CHS rate for receiving college credit via AP exams was 74 percent, compared with 57 percent nationally. (2013 is the most recent national data published by the College Board, which administers the AP exams.)

Jay Mathews, The Post’s education columnist, compiles the annual list. It honors public and private schools that encourage a wide variety of students to take the college-level AP classes and tests because participation in these classes correlates with college achievement and graduation.

Charlottesville High School was also recently named among the top 5% nationally for “Smartest High Schools.”  This came from a survey published by Niche, company that researches and compiles information on schools. Charlottesville High School also far surpasses state and national averages for SAT performance.

“We’re proud of the good work of our students and teachers, and we appreciate the support of our community. While any given ranking system has its limitations, Charlottesville High School has done so well by so many measures, that the combined feedback paints a portrait of excellence,” said Beth Baptist, Director of Student Services and Achievement.