In the past year, Edina High School AP scores have been at a five-year high. According to the Edina Public Schools website, 90.58% of students who took an AP test last year achieved a 3 or higher compared to the 85.61% of students in 2022–23. After the dip in scores in 2021, they gradually began to increase. Whether this be due to the students using more effective studying techniques or teachers using different teaching styles, this is a huge achievement.  It’s believed that a combination of teachers evolving at preparing students for the AP exams and students adapting to better prepare for the AP exams lead to this increase.

“Both teachers and students get better at teaching and absorbing the material and knowing what the College Board will throw at them,” junior Samantha Tietz said. 

The College Board is responsible for writing the tests, and Tietz said it works to make sure the tests are well written to make sure the students are challenged. “They will work hard to create and keep a balance of high scores and high achievers versus actually proving, you know, the material,” she said. Teachers are also a factor, and they play a huge part in preparing the students for the AP exams. Junior Shanaya Jana said that the teacher had made her feel best prepared due to the assignments and tests being very similar to the actual AP exam.

 Jana also said that AP classes and taking the AP exam are not just about getting college credits, but the in-depth learning can be a very beneficial experience.

“I think it’s a better learning experience, because you get to learn more in depth about a topic,” she said.