Consistent dedication to advanced academics – especially in science, technology, engineering and mathematics – secured Thomas County Central High School’s place on a very selective list.
TCCHS has achieved recognition from the Georgia Department of Education as an Advanced Placement Honor School in two categories: AP STEM and AP STEM Achievement.
Assistant Principal Dr. Erin Rehberg said TCCHS stands out in these categories because of its high number of AP courses (currently 20) and its faculty and students’ dedication to success.
“Earning this award means that our students have not only enrolled in the most challenging STEM courses offered at TCCHS, [but] they have also done remarkably well on the exams,” Rehberg said. “This honor speaks to the dedication of our students to achieve at the highest levels and to the dedication of our faculty to help them succeed.”
The GaDOE began recognizing AP Honor Schools in 2008. According to the Feb. 17 official press release, Georgia School Superintendent Richard Woods named 273 AP Honor Schools from 97 school districts. The 2023 honorees earned their titles based on 2022 AP courses and exam results. There are eight categories: AP Access and Support, AP Challenge, AP Expansion, AP Humanities, AP Humanities Achievement, AP Schools of Distinction, AP STEM and AP STEM Achievement schools.
AP STEM schools have five or more students testing in at least four AP STEM courses: AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, AP Physics C, AP Computer Science A, or AP Computer Science Principles. AP STEM Achievement schools meet all the above criteria plus have at least 50 percent of their AP STEM exams earn a score of 3 or higher.
TCCHS AP Coordinator Erin White believes these honors reflect the strength of the school’s advanced academics program, and success on AP STEM exams reflects learning across curricular areas.
“I am particularly excited about the STEM Achievement distinction because a very high percentage of our AP students take the tests,” she said. “Earning the ‘Achievement’ distinction is evidence that our students are performing at a high level on these tests.”
AP Statistics teacher Kelsey Hanna applauded the news and said it’s a joy to be part of STEM education at TCCHS.
“My students have a real passion for mathematics,” she said. “I am so fortunate to be able to help them strengthen their understanding of the subject.”