Sewanhaka makes A.P. honor roll

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Over the years, the Sewanhaka Central High School District has made providing students with challenging course work a priority. The district’s efforts over the past three years have earned its students, teachers and administration the distinction of being named to the College Board’s third annual A.P. District Honor Roll.

Sewanhaka is one of seven school districts on Long Island to be recognized for boosting students’ scores on Advanced Placement tests and increasing the number of A.P. courses available to students. There were 539 districts named to the honor roll nationwide.

“We applaud the extraordinary efforts of the devoted teachers and administrators in these 539 districts, who are fostering rigorous work worth doing,” College Board President David Coleman said. “These educators have not only expanded student access to A.P. course work, but they have enabled more of their students to achieve on a college level — which is helping to create a strong college-going culture.”

This is the first time the district has been named to the College Board’s honor roll. “I think it’s a very positive step,” Superintendent Dr. Ralph Ferrie said, “and a very positive recognition for the district.”

The district offers some 15 different A.P. courses among its five high schools, according to Cheryl Champ, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. Students also have the option to take A.P. exams in areas of study the district doesn’t offer. In addition to A.P. macroeconomics, for example, Champ said, students may wish to take the microeconomics exam as well, if they feel they have mastered both subjects. In the 2011-12 school year, district students took exams for 23 different A.P. courses.

Schools are recognized by the College Board for their commitment to making their students as college-ready as possible. Champ, who joined Sewanhaka this year, said that has been and will continue to be a priority for the district.

“I’m excited to come to a district that has already been focusing on creating more broader opportunities for all of our students,” she said.

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