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.

New Mission High School

New Mission is an exemplary college-prep school that develops high-achieving graduates who thrive in post-secondary education. Our dedicated faculty provide high-quality instruction. We offer programs including Homework Academy and Saturday Success Academy to provide support to students.

Unique Features

We offer numerous Advanced Coursework opportunities, including Advanced Placement (AP), Early College, and Career Pathways. We have pathways in computer science, engineering, health science, and business, via partnerships with UMass Boston and Wentworth Institute of Technology. Our Advisory Program combines students with a trusted adult at school together with strong and consistent family engagement. We couple high expectations and high support to ensure every student succeeds.

After School Programs

We offer Homework Academy, every Tuesday and Thursday from 2:30-3:30pm. All teachers are in the building to support students.

We also offer a variety of clubs and extracurricular activities, including tri-season sports programming.

Sports

Baseball
Basketball
Cheerleading
Cross Country
Football
Hockey
Indoor
Track
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track
Volleyball
Wrestling

Extracurricular

After School Chorus
Alpha Esquire
Boys Group
Art Club
Dance Team
Debate Team
FUSE/Girls Group
GSA
Mission Gems Girls Group
National Honor Society
School Culture Club
Science Fair Club;
Student Government
Young Man with a Plan

Additional Information

Early College Enrollment

CTE Pathways

Advanced Placement

Special Admission School

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Uniform Policy

Language Programming Text

New Mission High School offers a Newcomers Program for multilingual learners in grades 9-10, who have recently arrived in the U.S. The program provides social-emotional support, accelerated literacy, and grade-level content. Instruction is primarily in English. Once students build foundational English skills, they transition to an inclusive classroom with English-speaking peers.