During the 2020-21 school year, 52 Darlington students earned the designation of AP Scholar by The College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement Program (AP) Exams. This does not include students who took the AP Exam in June.
“We are a relatively small school with a senior class of only 116 students and these numbers reflect highly on our college-preparatory program," said Chad Woods, director of Upper School. "Though Darlington's policy is that all AP students are required to take their respective AP Exams, this policy was temporarily changed in 2020-21 due to COVID-19. Any senior who learned virtually for the year had the option of whether or not to take the test, which means a number of our students chose to opt out. We are proud of the resilience of all of our students during such an uncertain year and congratulate these AP Scholars."
The College Board’s AP Program offers students the opportunity to take challenging college-level courses while still in high school, and to receive college credit, advanced placement or both for successful performance on the AP Exams. Students took AP Exams in May 2020 after completing challenging college-level courses at their high schools. The College Board recognizes several levels of achievement based on the student’s performance on AP Exams.
Nine students qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. These students are Weizhe Feng, Angelina A. Laramie, Xiang Lian, Brock C. Lignell, Jonathan Murphy, Robert L. Pearson, Mary E. Prusakowski, Oluwasiji O. Soetan, and Bojun Zhang.
Seven students qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. These students are Lucy C. Aultman, Belle A. Brooks, Yihan Cui, Kathryn R. Davidson, Gry Son J. Davis, Riccardo Frisiani, and Yutong Wu.
Thirty-six students qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three or more AP Examinations, with grades of 3 or higher. The AP Scholars are Shakeria L. Anderson, Alexander D. Austin, Eli V. Baldwin, Daria A. Black, Madeline E. Bradshaw, Joseph L. Brown, Katie E. Carlton, Cooper E. Cates, Elsa Q. Corbin, Anaya M. Desai, Zoe C. Dillmon, Cameron J. Evans, Sam Feng, Leslie G. Garlinghouse, Emma J. Good, Stephanie H. Hughes, Haobo Luo, Jonna A. Massey, Cappie H. May, Eli L. Mayes, Thomas D. Monroe, Jackson J. Norris, Favour A. Olushola, Sia A. Patel, Mary M. Pittman, Zoe M. Rahn, Tate L. Roberts, Katherine G. Scott, Sophia K. Shumate, Elissa D. Smith, Sarah F. Tunnell, Shiyuan Wang, Elizabeth R. Warden, Ivy C. Watters, Ashlyn B. Woods, and Ziyi Yang.
Every fall, the AP Program recognizes high school students who have demonstrated outstanding college-level achievement through their performance on multiple AP Exams.
AP Scholar Awards come in different levels and types. Click here to see the criteria.
Through more than 30 different college-level courses and exams, AP provides motivated and academically prepared students with the opportunity to earn college credit or advanced placement and stand out in the college admissions process. Each exam is developed by a committee of college and university faculty and AP teachers, ensuring that our exams are aligned with the same high standards expected by college faculty at some of the nation’s leading liberal arts and research institutions. AP is accepted by more than 3,600 colleges and universities worldwide for college credit, advanced placement, or both on the basis of successful AP Exam grades. This includes more than 90% of four-year institutions in the United States. Research consistently shows that AP students who score a 3 or higher on AP Exams (based on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest) typically experience greater academic success in college and higher graduation rates than students who do not participate in AP.
The College Board is a not-for-profit membership organization whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the association is composed of more than 5,600 schools, colleges, universities and other educational organizations. Each year, The College Board serves 7 million students and their parents, 23,000 high schools, and 3,800 colleges through major programs and services in college admissions, guidance, assessment, financial aid, enrollment, and teaching and learning. Among its best-known programs are the SAT, the PSAT/NMSQT and the Advanced Placement (AP) Program. The College Board is committed to the principles of excellence and equity, and that commitment is embodied in all of its programs, services, activities and concerns.
