The Advanced Placement Program is a cooperative educational endeavor between secondary schools and colleges and universities. Since its inception in 1955, the Program has provided motivated high school students with the opportunity to take college-level courses in a high school setting. Students who participate in the Program not only gain college-level skills, but in many cases they also earn college credit while they are still in high school. In 2005, 2.1 million AP Exams were administered worldwide.

Each September the College Board recognizes the high school students who have distinguished themselves academically by announcing AP award recipients. This past spring seventy-four Hammond juniors and seniors took 162 AP exams after completing AP level coursework. Forty-four percent of the group received award recognition from AP for their outstanding performance:

• Fifteen were recognized by College Board as AP Scholars for scoring a 3 or higher on three or more AP exams.

• Five were recognized as AP Scholars with Honor for scoring an average grade of 3.25 on all AP exams taken and grades of 3 or higher on four or more exams.

• Twelve were recognized as AP Scholars with Distinction having scored an average of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and grades of 3 or higher on five or more exams.

It is of note that fifty-five percent of the 2006 seniors tested were named AP Scholars, AP Scholars with Honor, or AP Scholars with Distinction.