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.

Snowden International School at Copley

The Muriel S. Snowden International School at Copley is a multicultural, multilingual Boston Public high school in the heart of Boston’s Back Bay. As an International Baccalaureate World School, we are a college preparatory high school.

Unique Features

The Snowden International School is an International Baccalaureate World School with a demanding college preparatory curriculum focused on global studies. Snowden has a language learning focus including: Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish, and French. We are proud to offer students the opportunity to travel and study internationally.

After School Programs

Tutoring is available in all subjects;
Athletics (soccer, track, cross-country, basketball, volleyball, football, softball and baseball)
Student Government, International Travel Program, Community Service and Action Projects, and numerous extra curricular clubs.

Sports

Baseball
Basketball
Soccer
Softball
Track
Volleyball

Extracurricular

Asian Club
Book Club
Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA)
Improv Club
Service Study Club
Writing Center
Yearbook

Additional Information

Advanced Placement

Snowden students have the opportunity to enroll in the challenging International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma program in grades 11 and 12. Students who pass all course work in this rigorous two-year program are awarded an IB diploma in addition to their BPS diploma. IB World Schools are found in six continents; the IB diploma is recognized by over 850 colleges and universities.

Language Programming Text

Specialized Education Programs

Other Academic Programs

Family Engagement Opportunities

At Snowden, we believe that family partnership is essential to student success. Families are encouraged to stay actively involved through our School Site Council, Parent Council, and various family engagement events held throughout the year. We communicate regularly with families through ParentSquare, providing updates, resources, and opportunities for feedback. Families are also invited to attend academic nights, student showcases, and cultural celebrations that reflect our international focus.

Contact

Head of School
Raquel Martinez

150 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116

snowden@bostonpublicschools.org

Phone: 617-635-9989
Fax: 617-635-9996

School Hours
7:40 a.m. - 2:15 p.m.

Grades: 9-12
School Type: Regular

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