Danielle Shanley, Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the New Milford School district, reported at Monday's Board of Education meeting that 72.2 percent of those students who sat for the Advanced Placement (A.P.) exam scored a 3 or better. This represents a dramatic increase over 2011 where only 46 percent of students who sat for the A.P. exam scored a 3 or better.

The Advanced Placement program in New Milford High School offers students the opportunity to pursue advanced courses that are eligible for college credit. Colleges that participate in the Advanced Placement program confer college credit or advanced college placement to students "who demonstrate the aptitude, skills, interest and superior achievement within a subject or discipline." A.P. exams are administered by the College Board. 

Shanley attributed this increase in the test scores, in part, to the fact that for the first time the district offered juniors the opportunity to take A.P. level courses. 

"Juniors are more vested in getting a higher score because those scores are included on their college applications," she explained. 

Shanley said that another factor contributing to the overall success is the district's committment to invest in the teaching staff by providing them the opportunity to attend a one-week A.P. training seminar during the summer, followed by a one-day A.P. training course in-district during the school year. 

Also, Shanley said that students put out money to take the exam, but if they score 3 or better the district will reimburse them for the cost of the A.P. exam. 

Advanced Placement courses include:

• Language and Composition
• Literature and Composition
• United States History
• European History
• Statistics
• Calculus AB
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Physics B
• Spanish 
• French
• Drawing
• Two Dimensional Design
• Three Dimensional Design

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