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Three EPS High Schools Make 2023 AP School Honor Roll

EHS-FJC, Hamilton, Dwyer also recognized by College Board with AP Access Award 

Elizabeth, N.J., February 20, 2024 – Elizabeth High School – Frank J. Cicarell Academy (EHS – FJC), Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy, and John E. Dwyer Technology Academy were among the 37% of 476 eligible schools in the State of New Jersey to earn a place on the College Board 2023 AP School Honor Roll.

The AP School Honor Roll, which replaces the previous AP District Honor Roll, recognizes schools at Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum tiers of distinction. Schools must be located within the United States (including U.S. territories) or Canada and meet or exceed the criteria of three data metrics (college culture, college credit, and college optimization) in any of the respective tiers to qualify for the AP School Honor Roll.

College culture represents the percentage of the graduating cohort who took at least one AP Exam during high school, college credit indicates the percentage of the graduating cohort who scored a three or higher on at least one AP exam during high school, and college optimization signifies the percentage of the graduating cohort who took five or more AP Exams during high school, with at least one of those exams having been taken in ninth or tenth grade.

“AP represents an opportunity for students to stand out to colleges, earn college credit and placement, and potentially boost their grade point averages,” said Trevor Packer, head of the AP program.  “The schools have shown that they can expand access to these college-level courses and still drive high performance – they represent the best of our AP program.”

EHS – FJC earned the Platinum tier by reaching Platinum in all three criteria, including expanding its college culture by enabling more than 80% of its Class of 2024 (100%) to experience one AP course before graduating, assisting with college affordability by enabling more than 50% of its Class of 2024 (51%) to earn college credit by earning an AP Exam score of three or higher, and optimizing students’ college readiness by creating opportunities for 15% or greater of its Class of 2024 (40%) to take a total of five AP courses across their high school years, with at least one taken in ninth or tenth grade.

Hamilton Preparatory Academy earned the Gold tier by reaching platinum in the college culture (90%) and college credit (50%) criteria and reaching gold in college optimization by creating opportunities for 10-15% of its Class of 2024 (11%) to take a total of five AP courses across their high school years, with at least one taken in ninth or tenth grade.

Dwyer Technology Academy earned the Bronze tier by reaching gold in college culture by enabling 65-80% of its Class of 2024 (69%) to experience one AP course before graduating, bronze in college credit by enabling 25-30% of its Class of 2024 (27%) to earn college credit by earning an AP Exam score of three or higher, and bronze in college optimization by creating opportunities for 3-5% of its Class of 2024 (3%) to take a total of five AP courses across their high school years, with at least one taken in ninth or tenth grade.

Throughout the State of New Jersey, of 476 eligible schools, 37% earned a place on the 2023 AP School Honor Roll. Only 6% of eligible schools received the Platinum tier designation, while 8% received Gold tier, 13% received Silver tier, and 9% received Bronze tier.

All three Elizabeth schools on the AP School Honor Roll also earned the AP Access Award, honoring schools that demonstrate a clear and effective commitment to equitable access to advanced coursework. The award was given to 35% of New Jersey schools on the AP School Honor Roll.

“Elizabeth Public Schools is guided by its goals of college preparedness and career readiness,” said Elizabeth Public Schools Superintendent Olga Hugelmeyer. “A vital part of our work of preparing students for college and career success is creating a college-going culture. The appearance of Elizabeth High School – Frank J. Cicarell Academy (EHS – FJC), Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy, and John E. Dwyer Technology Academy on the AP School Honor Roll is reflective of the exceptional commitment they have made toward inspiring our students to pursue a postsecondary education.”

“The Elizabeth Board of Education is committed to enacting policy that ensures equity for all students who attend Elizabeth Public Schools,” said Elizabeth Board of Education President Charlene Bathelus Dorgely. “The fact that three of our high schools received the AP Access Award is a good indication that our policies, along with the outstanding practices of our educators, are leading to greater opportunities for all of our students to be prepared for and to attend college.”