Brookwood celebrates 20 AP Scholars this year
THOMASVILLE —The first week of school now behind them, Brookwood students are becoming accustomed to the rhythm of the school day and getting a taste of the rigors of the college-preparatory curriculum. And with the release of last year’s excellent AP scores, the standards have been set for Upper School students taking Advanced Placement classes.
Overall, Brookwood students scored 20 percent above the global average on their AP exams and yielded a list of 20 AP Scholars from the classes of 2018 and 2019. Brookwood’s AP Scholars took a total of 109 exams in 9 subject areas, garnering an average score of 3.62 on a scale of 1 to 5. What’s more, some 12 out of 28 graduating seniors — approximately 43 percent of the class of 2018 — earned AP Scholar status.
Upper School Director David Grooms said success on an AP Exam is perhaps the greatest single predictor of strong performance in college classes. “AP Exams demand demonstration of critical thinking skills, content knowledge and synthesis of concepts into a theme that covers an entire year of work,” he said. “All this must be done in a limited amount of time. Colleges see the results of these exams as a international standard of achievement.”
To be distinguished as an AP Scholar, a student must earn a score of 3 or higher on a scale of 1 to 5 on three or more Advanced Placement exams. This year’s AP Scholars are Daniel K. Atkinson ‘18, Brianna C. Beach ‘19, Max E Beverly ‘18, Cricket K. Daniel ‘19, Evans N. Dodys ‘19, Audrey L. Johnson ‘19, Julia C.
Johnson ‘19, Marshall H.
Jones ‘18, Bridger Middleton ‘19, W Thomas Oppenheim ‘18, Raleigh W Rollins ‘19, Natalie C. Tyler ‘18 and Preston M. Young ‘18.
AP Scholar with Honor awards are given to those who receive a 3.25 or higher on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on four exams. Eleanore C. Harrer ‘19 and Wyatt R.
Whitfield ‘18 earned this recognition.
The AP Scholar of Distinction award goes to students who score an average of 3.5 or higher on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. From the class of 2018, Jordon T. Brinkley, Curry M.
Brinson, G. Thomas Harrison, Trenton C. Newman and William G. Saundersearned this accolade. These distinctions are a point of pride for the students who earned them and for the Brookwood faculty, said Kim Lord, Director of College Counseling. “The AP exams provide an external benchmark on how we are doing as a school to ensure that our students are best prepared for college,” she said. “Thanks to our students continued success on these exams, we feel confident that our students will be more than ready for the rigors of college.”
Further, she said, success on an AP exam involves more than just learning content. “Students must show commitment and tenacity as they prepare,” Lord said. “Our students’ overall success is a testament to our teachers who inspire such commitment while ensuring our students attain mastery of the material and to our students who willingly take up the charge.”
Brookwood Senior Raleigh Rollins said AP classes have given him a much better idea of what to expect in college. “Taking more difficult classes has allowed me to develop more efficient study habits,” and because of the rigor of the courses, he is able to approach the college admissions process with more confidence, he said.
Students in schools all over the globe take Advanced Placement exams every spring. Over the past five years, Brookwood students have passed 89 percent of the AP exams that they have taken. Globally, the pass rate has been 61 percent for the past five years and 58 percent in the state of Georgia.
“Our goal is to prepare student for success in college and in life,” said Brookwood School Headmaster Randy Watts. “We know that the academic preparation of all of our students is superior, and their scores on AP exams are proof of that work.”
Brookwood School
Located in Thomasville, GA, Brookwood School is a private school for grades JK-12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.