By Tiffany Williams –
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has considerable reason to celebrate, as under her leadership, a remarkable one-third of students who graduated from Massachusetts public high schools in 2024 achieved a score of 3 or higher on an Advanced Placement (AP) exam. This figure represents the highest percentage ever recorded in the state and marks the second consecutive year that Massachusetts has led the nation in this category, according to data released by the College Board.
“Congratulations to the Massachusetts students whose AP scores yet again were the highest in the nation – and the highest in state history. To see the AP success rate for the graduating class rise above where it was for the classes before COVID is a true testament to the work of Massachusetts students and educators and to the state’s investments that have made AP exams more affordable,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Massachusetts students can accomplish amazing things when they are encouraged to participate and given the support they need.”
Achieving a score of 3 out of 5 on an AP exam indicates that a student is well-equipped to handle coursework equivalent to that of an introductory college-level course in the subject area assessed. Many colleges and universities acknowledge these scores, typically granting college credit for those earning a 3 or higher, thus providing students with a head start in their post-secondary education.
Moreover, Governor Maura Healey’s office has reported notable progress in the participation of Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino students in AP testing. This achievement underscores the state’s commitment to inclusivity and equity in education.
To further enhance accessibility to AP courses and exams, Massachusetts has implemented several strategic initiatives. These include subsidizing AP exam fees for low-income students, investing in professional development for teachers, and enhancing the curriculum for STEM-related AP courses. Collaborations with organizations such as Mass Insight’s AP STEM & English Program have also played a crucial role in these efforts.
Typically, AP exam fees are nearly $100 each without any subsidy, which poses a barrier for many students. For the current academic year, the state government has allocated up to $1.25 million in funding to cover the fees for approximately 30,000 to 35,000 AP and International Baccalaureate exams. As part of the Executive Office of Education’s initiative to innovate high school education, low-income students or their schools will only need to pay a nominal fee of $22 per AP test. Over the past two years, Massachusetts has subsidized a total of 57,552 AP exams for low-income students, reflecting a strong commitment to educational equity.
Key highlights from this year’s AP exam results include:
– An impressive 32.8 percent of Massachusetts public high school graduates scored a 3 or higher on at least one AP exam during their high school years, solidifying the state’s position as the leader in the nation.
– In comparison, the national average stands at 22.6 percent for public high school graduates scoring 3 or higher.
– Massachusetts has consistently ranked at the top in this metric for several preceding years, including for the class of 2023.
– Over the period from 2014 to 2024, the percentage of Massachusetts graduates scoring 3 or higher increased by 5.5 percentage points, growing from 27.3 percent to 32.8 percent.
– A significant 90.2 percent of public high schools in Massachusetts offer at least one AP course, providing students with ample opportunities for advanced study.
– The percentage of the 2024 graduating class that took an AP exam climbed to 46.3 percent, up 7.8 percentage points from 38.5 percent in 2014.
– Among the 2024 graduates, 39.7 percent of Hispanic or Latino students took an AP exam, marking the eighth highest percentage in the nation and representing a 14.5 percentage point increase from 25.2 percent in 2014.
– Additionally, 33.9 percent of Black or African American graduates from Massachusetts took an AP exam during high school, which is the third highest percentage in the country and reflects an 8.7 percentage point increase from 25.2 percent in 2014.
These statistics reflect an ongoing commitment of Governor Maura Healey and her administration to provide high-quality educational opportunities for all students in Massachusetts, reinforcing the state’s leadership in advanced academic achievement.