Boston Public Schools Reports Record Growth in Advanced Placement Participation and Student Success

District has increased qualifying AP scores by 65% since 2022, with nearly two-thirds of exams earning college-credit qualifying scores.

Boston Public Schools Reports Record Growth in Advanced Placement Participation and Student Success

District has increased qualifying AP scores by 65% since 2022, with nearly two-thirds of exams earning college-credit qualifying scores

BOSTON – July 15, 2026 – Boston Public Schools (BPS) reports continued growth in Advanced Placement (AP) participation and student success. The 2026 AP Score Reports released by College Board show gains in access to college-level coursework and strong performance on AP exams.

This year, 4,069 BPS students participated in Advanced Placement coursework and took 7,277 AP exams across 24 district schools. Of those exams, 4,665 earned a qualifying score of 3 or higher, resulting in a 64% districtwide qualifying rate. Today, 30% of all BPS students in grades 9–12 take at least one AP exam.

Since 2022, AP participation has increased by 25%, while the number of qualifying scores has grown by 65%, raising the district’s overall qualifying rate from 50% to 64%. The number of AP exams taken has also increased by 29% over the same period.

“This year’s AP results demonstrate the impact of our commitment to expanding access to rigorous academic opportunities through initiatives like AP Access for All,” said Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper. “We are seeing the highest AP participation levels and the highest percentage of students earning qualifying scores in BPS history, showing that when we remove barriers and provide students with the right supports, they rise to meet the challenge. More students than ever are enrolling in college-level coursework, earning college-credit qualifying scores, and building the confidence, skills, and knowledge needed for success beyond high school. I am grateful to our educators, school leaders, students, and families for their continued commitment to ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive.”

The district’s continued growth builds on years of strategic investment in expanding AP access through initiatives such as AP Access for ALL, increasing course offerings, strengthening teacher professional development, and providing students with additional academic supports, including mock exams and test preparation resources. These efforts have helped more students enroll in Advanced Placement courses and improve student achievement.

The 2026 results also show expanded access across student groups. Since 2022, AP participation has increased by 54% among Hispanic/Latino students and 42% among Black students, reflecting the district’s commitment to more students engaging in rigorous coursework and earning college credit while still in high school.

“Expanding access is only meaningful if students are equipped to succeed once they enter these courses,” said Deputy Superintendent of Academics Dr. Simone Wright. “The steady increase in qualifying scores shows that our instructional priorities, educator support, and intentional focus on academic excellence are helping students build the knowledge, confidence, and skills they need to thrive in college-level coursework.”

BPS continues to broaden Advanced Placement opportunities across its high schools. Between 2018 and 2025, the district increased AP course offerings by 20%, and students now have access to a growing range of subjects, including AP African American Studies, one of the district’s most popular newer courses. Several schools also plan to introduce AP Business and Financial Literacy and AP Cybersecurity in the coming school year.

“Every AP classroom represents an opportunity for a student to discover what’s possible for their future,” said Assistant Superintendent of the Office of College, Career & Life Readiness Brett Dickens. “Whether students are earning college credit, strengthening their college applications, or developing the critical thinking and perseverance needed after graduation, these experiences prepare them to confidently pursue their next steps. We’re proud that more Boston students than ever are taking advantage of these opportunities.”

Earlier this year, BPS, alongside the City of Boston and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, hosted an Advanced Placement roundtable at TechBoston Academy, where Mayor Michelle Wu, Commissioner Pedro Martinez, Superintendent Mary Skipper, and BPS students discussed the impact of AP coursework on college readiness and personal growth. During the conversation, students reflected on how Advanced Placement courses helped them build critical skills such as resilience, time management, self-confidence, and academic perseverance while encouraging more of their peers to challenge themselves through rigorous coursework. The 2026 AP results demonstrate that these investments in expanding access and supporting student success are translating into measurable outcomes across the district.

The Dr. Carol Johnson District Leadership Fellowship

We are now recruiting for Cohort III of the Dr. Johnson District Leadership Fellowship! You can learn more here.

The Dr. Carol Johnson District Leadership Fellowship, named in honor of visionary leader and former Boston Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Carol Johnson, is designed to empower BPS district staff and school leaders to excel in their current roles and prepare them for a future of leadership in the Boston Public Schools. This fellowship is designed for current BPS leaders – at the school or district level – with aspirations to lead in future BPS roles such as Regional School Superintendent, Executive Director, Deputy Chief, or Chief.

A joint effort between Boston Public Schools and Boston University’s Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, students admitted to the Dr. Carol Johnson District Leadership Fellowship will join a cohort of BPS school and district leaders dedicated to advancing educational equity and excellence in the City of Boston. Over the course of 2 years, Fellows will engage in yearlong academic coursework leading to a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies and tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities in the City of Boston. Successful candidates will make significant progress toward their doctorate and would be encouraged to apply to continue their studies, at their expense, toward the completion of a doctoral degree.

In addition to coursework, this Fellowship includes career development (such as job shadowing a senior BPS leader) and a program long Transformation Project culminating in a mock School Committee Presentation.

Course List

Cultivating a Leadership Disposition I
Advanced Strategic Planning and Implementation
School Segregation
School Law
Performance-Based Instructional Leadership
Advanced School Budgeting, Finance, and Labor Relations
Educational Politics: Local, State, and National
Communications and Working with the Media
Cultivating a Leadership Disposition II

Meet the Dr. Johnson Fellows!

Cohort I

Read their bios here

Headshots of each of the 12 cohort 1 fellows

From left to right:
Top Row: Tinu Arowosegbe, Katy Cen, Apryl Clarkson, Monique Rodrigues DeBarros
Middle Row: Joane Etienne, Anne Hernandez, Raquel Martinez, Michelle Simon
Bottom Row: Marques Simpson, Hai Son, Sarita Thomas, Anthony Valdez

Cohort II

Read their bios here

Headshots of each of the 12 cohort 2 fellows

From left to right:
Top Row: Catherine Carney, Danielle Costello, Joanne DaSilva, Alton Dekid
Second Row: Jen Eddington, Wisline François, Nachelle Gordon , Elijah Heckstall
Third Row: Petrina Johnson, Vera Johnson, Paul Kennedy, Jewel Perry
Bottom Row: Velecia Saunders, Sharif Williams

We are now recruiting for Cohort III!

Please learn about the Dr. Johnson Fellowship District Leadership Fellowship by reading this flyer.

The Fellowship is a graduate level program designed exclusively for current and aspiring BPS senior leaders and not offered publicly. A master’s degree or equivalent is required to participate.

Time: Courses will take place on select Fridays and Saturdays, virtually and in person at Bolling, starting August 2026 and concluding August 2028. Fellows should expect, on average, to be in 3-10 hours of class per week while working full time.

Cost: This program is being offered at a special discounted rate and Fellows should expect to cover a portion of the costs. At this time, full funding for this program has not yet been identified and we are actively exploring options, including fundraising.

Program Evaluation: Fellows are expected to participate in program evaluation activities (such as surveys and focus groups).

Application & Admissions Due Dates

June 21st: Priority Review Deadline. Applicants will submit their application, including a letter of recommendation, via this internal BPS application. Applicants will also be required to have their supervisor’s endorsement submitted via this Supervisor Endorsement form.

June 24th: Applicants who are selected will be invited to interview June 29th-July 10th.

July 19th: Applicants who are selected will be invited to submit all materials, including unofficial transcripts, for a final review by the BU Wheelock team.

End of July: Accepted applicants will officially accept their BU offer and complete onboarding steps.

Late August 2026: Cohort III in Person Launch at Boston University.

Want to Learn More? Join a Zoom Info Session!

Wednesday, April 1st, 11am-12pm on Zoom
Tuesday, April 7th, 4-5pm on Zoom
Wednesday, April 15th, 5:30-6:30pm on Zoom

If you would like more information about the Fellowship, please contact, Dr. Monica Hall, Executive Director of Leadership Development, mhall4@bostonpublicschools.org, Dr. Nicholas Brooks, Executive Director of School Support nbrooks@bostonpublicschools.org or Irene Dennison, Associate Director, BU/BPS Academic Partnerships at idennison@bostonpublicschools.org.

This is a co-created program by Boston Public Schools and Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development: Strategic Partnerships & Community Engagement Office.