Nearly 1,000 ACPS students recognized for achievements on AP exams

Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) announced on Monday that nearly 1,000 students have been recognized nationally for their performance on several Advanced Placement (AP) exams this year.  

According to numbers released by the College Board, which administers the AP program nationwide, 981 ACPS students received AP Scholar awards for the 2025-26 school year. Of those students, 455 earned the highest achievement, AP Scholar with Distinction, meaning they received an average score of at least 3.5 on all their AP exams and passed at least 5 exams (score of 3 or higher). 

An ACPS release said 145 students were recognized as AP Scholars with Honors for earning an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP exams they took and scores of 3 or higher on at least four of those exams. 

Additionally, 381 students were named AP Scholars for receiving scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams, according to the release.  

“Most college[s] and universities offer credits and or advanced placement to students who earn a 3 or above on AP exams,” the release said. 

Six of the district’s high schools had students receive AP Scholar with Distinction, AP Scholar with Honors, and AP Scholar awards, the release said. 

The College Board also honored 72 ACPS students for earning the AP Capstone Diploma and another 39 who received the AP Seminar and Research Certificate. 

To earn the AP Capstone Diploma, the release said students must receive scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research and four additional AP exams.  

For the AP Seminar and Research Certificate, students must earn scores of 3 or higher on both the Seminar and Research exams, according to the release. 

District officials said the number of students recognized for their performance on AP exams is particularly significant, given that many of the district’s high-achieving students are taking the equally rigorous Cambridge and International Baccalaureate (IB) exams in place of AP exams.