Oconee High Schools Earn AP Honors

The Georgia Board of Education is recognizing and for excellence in Advanced Placement courses--rigorous classes at the end of which students may take exams administered by the College Board to potentially earn college credit.

Both schools were two of only 38 across Georgia to be named AP Merit Schools as a result of last year's AP test scores, according to a press release from .

"These schools have at least 20 percent of their students taking AP exams, and at least half of those exams scoring a 3 or higher," the news release stated.

The schools also earned the distinction of AP STEM Achievement and AP STEM schools. "Schools must have students testing in at least two AP math courses and two AP science courses, and at least 40 percent of those exams scoring a 3 or higher (out of a possible 5)," the news release noted.

"This is a testament to teachers and quality of students," Superintendent of Schools John Jackson told Patch. "Teachers help to refine them and bring out the best in them so they are sharp and ready for post-secondary education."

Jackson said each school offers 16 AP courses, including biology, U.S. history, and calculus.