Clarke Central and Cedar Shoals high schools were among 301 schools in Georgia named Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Schools for 2025 in an announcement today by State School Superintendent Richard Woods. Clarke Central earned a designation in six of the seven applicable AP Honor School categories, while Cedar Shoals was named in three of the categories. 

Based on the results of 2024 AP exams taken last spring, Clarke Central was named an AP School of Distinction for having at least 20% of the student body take AP exams with at least 50% of those exams having a passing grade (3-5 on a 1-5 grading scale). Clarke Central also was named an AP STEM School and AP STEM Achievement School. STEM schools have at least five students test in at least four separate AP courses in the areas of math, science, and computer science, with a minimum of 25 total exams administered. STEM Achievement schools have at least 50% of those exams result in scores of 3 or higher. 

Clarke Central and Cedar Shoals both received designations as AP Humanities schools and AP Humanities Achievement schools. AP Humanities schools administer at least five exams in each of the following categories: one English Language Arts course, two social studies courses, one fine arts course, and one world language course, with a minimum of 25 total exams administered. AP Humanities Achievement schools have at least 50% of those exams graded at 3 or higher. 

Both schools were also once again named AP Access and Support schools, an honor they have each earned the last several consecutive years for having at least 30% of their AP exams taken by students who identified themselves as African American and/or Hispanic (minimum of 16 total students) and having at least 30% of those exam-takers earn a score of 3 or higher, with a minimum of 25 exams administered. 

“We continue to experience success in the area of Advanced Placement achievement due to the hard work of our talented students and their dedicated teachers who work tirelessly to provide an environment in which students are able to thrive,” said CCSD Superintendent Dr. Robbie Hooker. “This recognition further demonstrates CCSD’s absolute commitment to creating educational journeys that empower students to fulfill their potential.”

AP exams are administered by the College Board, which also administers the SAT. AP courses are one of several ways Georgia students can access college-level learning at the high school level; students who receive a 3, 4, or 5 on an AP exam may receive college course credits. GaDOE began recognizing AP Honor Schools in 2008.