Hard Work Paying Off: The AP Scholar Award

The logo of College Board. College Board is an organization that helps prepare students for college and access higher education. Watauga High School students continue to succeed in AP courses, earning national recognition from College Board for high scores and strong participants, reflecting the school's commitment to hard work, dedication, and student success. Photo Creds: College Board

Lillon Henline, Feature Desk Lead, and Roz Rabinowitz, Junior Editor and News Desk Lead of The Powderhorn

Watauga High School was recently awarded by the College Board for high AP test scores and increased enrollment in AP classes. Last year 89% of the students at WHS who took an AP class scored a 3 or higher on their exam, a 7% increase from the previous year. There were also a total of 339 AP students. Out of those AP students, 303 of them scored a 3 or higher on all of their AP exams. 

“It just recognizes the hard work that we put in here, and particularly for it to happen the year that we missed a month of school due to Hurricane Helene and winter weather,” said Dr. Coleman Bailey, Assistant Principal at Watauga High School. “For us to get this designation last year of all years is just truly significant of the work that we put in.”

The hard work displayed by Watauga High School students through this award is nothing new. WHS has routinely over-achieved with a high ranking in the state, consistently high test scores, and opportunities that cater to students' success. The academic culture is both competitive and rewarding. 

“I think that Watauga High School is really committed to students' excellence and success,” said Bailey. “I feel that we really try to make sure that every child feels connected to our school and that they can take the piece of our school that they need to be successful.”

As an assistant principal and the administrator in charge of AP classes, Bailey is a key factor to the success of these students. His leadership and support have helped strengthen the school’s AP program and improve the student outcome.

“I try to take the things off the teacher's plates,” said Bailey. “Which is frustrating when kids have trouble with their AP accounts, or making sure that our testing runs as smoothly as possible. Since it's all digital now, arranging the location of the testing center, taking off the administrative parts so that the teachers can just focus on the needs of their students and curriculum.”

The work that Bailey puts in for AP students and teachers is so pertinent to their success. Students who take AP classes face the challenges of outside work and complex concepts that are at the level of a college class. Teachers are also held to a high standard to teach the lengthy and difficult curriculum that is associated with AP classes. 

“The benefit is by passing AP courses they get credit for college. It says that they took the most rigorous path through high school,” said Bailey. “Which sometimes boosts them as far as admissions or other opportunities that colleges provide.”

These AP classes allow students to get ahead once they reach college  and challenge themself while in high school, but access to these classes have become increasingly limited at Watauga. AP classes exist in an A/B schedule that meets every other day yearlong. This provides students ample time to learn and engage with the content of these courses. The past couple of years there have been increased scheduling conflicts surrounding these A/B pairings and AP classes. Students are struggling to fit in all of the AP classes they want into their schedule while also taking other courses, such as orchestra, that also reside in the A/B schedule.

“I think this achievement will continue the conversation to make sure that scheduling and other options are always available to make sure that our students can get the classes that they want,” said Bailey. 

While scheduling may be a consistent issue for all Watauga students, Watauga County and NC offer support for AP classes in a multitude of other ways. One of these ways being paying for every student's AP exams.

“The state was going to pull that funding this year and enough people contacted their state legislators so they put it back in the budget,” said Bailey. “I am proud to say that during the two months that that was in question, Watauga County Schools were already looking at our limited resources to see what we could do to make sure that all of our students who were going to test would have the opportunity to do so.”

The support of the county, state, administrators, and teachers have allowed these students to exceed the expectations of College Board. This award the school received is a testament to the hard work of the students and is shared by every student enrolled in an AP course at Watauga High School.

“I think the lesson that I would take away from the first experience is that we all should take advantage of whatever opportunities that are present for us,” said Bailey.  “If we have this type of program here at this point, what better way to get ready for the rigor of what comes after high school and experience it now so that you can have the support that you have in place at this point in your life, before you have to do it on your own.” 

Watauga High School has offered opportunities for students to reach their full potential, achieve their goals, and prepare for future success. This support allows students to pursue their interests while building the skills needed beyond high school.

“I just think it's just very rewarding to see the hard work of our students and our teachers being recognized at this level and set us apart as truly being one of the best of the best of them, " said Bailey.