P.K. Yonge receives Advanced Placement Platinum Distinction

P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School
P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School.
Courtesy UF

The P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School was recently named to the 2024 Advanced Placement® Program (AP®) School Honor Roll, earning both the AP Access Award and the AP Platinum distinction.

The College Board recognized P.K. Yonge on the AP School Honor Roll, which acknowledges schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students and whose programs are broadening access, according to the press release. Schools can earn recognition annually based on criteria that provide opportunities for students to earn college credit, reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture and maximize college readiness. 

“P.K. Yonge is especially proud to be recognized with this prestigious College Board honor. Receiving both the highest possible award of AP Platinum, as well as the AP Access award, are strong indicators that our school is on the rise with regard to providing both an excellent and an inclusive educational experience for all of our students,” said Brian Marchman, P.K. Yonge director and superintendent, in the press release. “More and more of our students are enjoying success at P.K. Yonge each year and the credit goes to them, their teachers and supportive parents working in partnership.”

Become A Member

Mainstreet does not have a paywall, but pavement-pounding journalism is not free. Join your neighbors who make this vital work possible.

P.K. Yonge had 97% of its seniors take at least one AP Exam during high school with 54% of seniors scoring a 3 or higher on at least one AP Exam and another 17% of seniors who took five or more AP Exams.

“AP gives students an opportunity to engage with college-level work, to earn college credit and placement, and to potentially boost their grade point averages,” said Trevor Packer, head of the AP program, in the press release. “The schools that have earned this distinction are proof that it is possible to expand access to these college-level courses and still drive strong performance – they represent the best of AP.”  

For schools to receive AP Platinum distinction, schools must receive a certain percentage in three categories–college culture (at least 80%), college credit (at least 50%) and college optimization (at least 15%). 

P.K. Yonge received a 97% in college culture, 54% in college credit and 17% in college optimization. 

P.K. Yonge also received recognition with the AP Access Award, which honors schools that encourage more low-income and underrepresented minority students to take AP courses. According to the release, the percentage of students in at least one of these categories who took at least one AP Exam before graduation is proportional to or above P.K. Yonge’s student population, demonstrating a clear and effective commitment to equitable access to advanced coursework. 

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
3 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Bill Whitten

Just a reminder – go back to April/May when the UF Board of Trustees were saying PKY just wasn’t good enough and they wanted to make it a selective admission school.

real Gainesville citizen and voter

Right! Who was it that wanted to do that? Was it one of the hires by former President Sasse?

Bill Whitten

Penny Schwinn UF VP for PK-12 hired Fall 2023 by Sasse to a “newly created position”