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.

Message from the Director:

Boston Public Schools’ Global Learning Program reflects a district-wide commitment to preparing students to thrive in an interconnected world through equitable access to global and intercultural learning, world language development, and meaningful local and international experiences.

Guided by an evolving vision to advance equitable global education and multilingualism across the district, the department oversees K–12 world language programs, the development of culturally and linguistically sustaining curriculum, and domestic and international learning initiatives designed to expand students’ perspectives and opportunities. Central to this work is ensuring that students see their identities, languages, and lived experiences reflected and valued in their learning while engaging with diverse perspectives and applying their knowledge to authentic local and global contexts.

The program seeks to cultivate globally and interculturally competent students who develop deep knowledge of the world, communicate across differences with empathy and respect, and are equipped to address complex real-world challenges. Through rigorous language instruction, globally connected curriculum, experiential travel, virtual exchanges, partnerships with local and international organizations, and sustained professional learning for educators, Boston Public Schools is creating coherent, accessible pathways for all students to grow as informed, engaged, and purpose-driven global citizens.
This vision is further strengthened through thoughtful policy development, strategic risk management, grant cultivation, and cross-sector collaboration, helping ensure that global learning experiences are safe, inclusive, transformative, and
increasingly accessible to every student across the district.

Dr. Karina J. Baum
Director of Global Learning
Boston Public Schools

Memberships & Resources

The Institute for Global Learning (IGL) is a leading non-profit association of more than 300 K–12 schools in over 20 countries dedicated to advancing global education. As a partner organization of Boston Public Schools, IGL provides students and educators with opportunities to engage in global learning through virtual workshops, action summits, certificate programs, professional development, and international collaborations. Through research, benchmarking, and the sharing of best practices, IGL supports schools in integrating global perspectives, issues, and competencies into teaching and learning. These efforts help students develop the knowledge, skills, dispositions, and empathy needed to understand multiple perspectives, navigate an interconnected world, and act as engaged global citizens.

Primary Source is a Boston-based nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing global, inclusive, and culturally responsive education. Through professional development, curriculum resources, workshops, and online learning opportunities, Primary Source helps educators integrate global perspectives, diverse voices, and multiple viewpoints across all subject areas and grade levels. Their programs foster critical thinking, empathy, cross-cultural understanding, and meaningful engagement with global issues, helping prepare students to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

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Dr. Karina J. Baum, Director of Global Learning
Office of Teaching & Learning | Boston Public Schools, Bruce Bolling Building | 2300 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02119
kbaum@bostonpublicschools.org
617-635-9332

Global Learning

Global Learning

Global Learning

Superintendent Circulars

Immigration and Border Crossing Guidelines

Expanding ourPartnerships

Contact

Expanding our
Partnerships