Fairfax High School (FHS) has been named to the College Board Gold Advanced Placement (AP) School Honor Roll. This prestigious recognition reflects the school’s commitment to fostering a college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and preparing students for higher education.
The AP program offers college-level courses and exams to high school students, enabling them to earn college credit and demonstrate their readiness for college-level work. Schools named to the AP School Honor Roll are recognized for delivering strong results for their students while also broadening access to AP opportunities.
The AP School Honor Roll categorizes recognition into four levels of distinction: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Schools earn these distinctions annually based on criteria aligned with fostering a college-going culture, expanding access to AP courses, and improving college readiness.
Qualifying Criteria for Gold Status
To be recognized on the AP School Honor Roll, schools must meet specific benchmarks for their graduating class in the most recent academic year. These benchmarks are grounded in research-based relationships between AP participation and college success:
College Culture: At least 65% of the graduating cohort must have taken at least one AP Exam during high school.
College Credit: At least 35% of the graduating cohort must have scored a 3 or higher on at least one AP Exam during high school.
College Optimization: At least 10% of the graduating cohort must have taken five or more AP Exams during high school. Additionally, at least one of these exams must have been taken in the 9th or 10th grade to encourage students to spread their AP experience across grades and reduce pressure in their senior year.
Fairfax High School’s inclusion on the Gold Honor Roll underscores its dedication to academic excellence and its success in providing students with pathways to post-secondary achievement.