South Atlanta High, Therrell High, BEST Academy, and Douglass High more than double qualifying scores; Black student results more than triple since 2023
Atlanta Public Schools’ (APS) expansion of Advanced Placement opportunities is producing record achievement across the district. More students are taking AP exams, the percentage earning scores of 3 or higher continues to rise, and every APS school with AP exam results increased its number of qualifying scores.
APS students took 6,829 AP exams in 2026, continuing a year-over-year increase in participation. A record 4,138 exams received scores of 3 or higher, up 22% from 2025 and more than double the 2,050 qualifying scores earned in 2022.
The districtwide rate of exams earning scores of 3 or higher also increased to 61%, compared with 60% in 2025 and 47% in 2022.
“This progress is both broad and sustained,” said APS Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson. “Every school improved, more students are embracing rigorous coursework, and more students are demonstrating mastery. These results confirm that when we expand access and surround students with the right support, they rise to the challenge.”
“The record-breaking Advanced Placement results demonstrate what is possible when we set high expectations and ensure every student has access to rigorous academic opportunities,” said Atlanta Board of Education Chair Jessica Johnson. “The Board is deeply proud of our students, educators, and families across all of our high schools for their hard work and dedication. These gains reflect our commitment to expanding educational excellence and opportunity across every neighborhood in Atlanta.”
Gains Reach Every APS School
Every APS school with AP exam results increased the number of exams earning scores of 3 or higher. The gains were particularly significant at South Atlanta, Therrell and Douglass high schools, where qualifying scores more than doubled from the previous year.
South Atlanta High School also recorded the district’s highest percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher on the AP Macroeconomics exam. The school’s performance exceeded the national average for the course.
“These school-level results show that AP success is growing throughout APS,” said Tommy Usher, Deputy Superintendent of Academics. “Students across the district are responding to increased opportunities, strong instruction and the belief from their educators that they belong in advanced academic settings.”
2026 AP Results at a Glance
- APS students took 6,829 AP exams, up from 5,651 in 2025.
- A record 4,138 exams received scores of 3 or higher, an increase of 741, or 22%, from 2025.
- The districtwide rate of scores of 3 or higher increased to 61%.
- The number of qualifying scores has more than doubled since 2022.
- Every APS school with AP exam results increased its number of scores of 3 or higher.
- South Atlanta, Therrell and Douglass more than doubled their qualifying scores.
- AP exams taken by Black students earned 1,027 scores of 3 or higher, more than triple the 306 earned in 2023.
- South Atlanta achieved the district’s highest rate of scores of 3 or higher on the AP Macroeconomics exam and exceeded the national average.
- Source: College Board 2026 AP Score Distribution
Figure 1. The number of AP exams with a score of 3+. Scores of 3+ Districtwide has more than doubled since 2022.
Figure 2. Count of exams with a score of 3+ for Black students – increasing by about 300 per year for the past 2 consecutive years. Scores of 3+ from Black students has more than tripled since 2023.
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About Atlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Public Schools is one of the largest school districts in the state of Georgia, serving approximately 50,000 students across 87 learning sites, including 59 neighborhood schools, five partner schools, 19 charter schools, two citywide single-gender academies, and two alternative programs. To learn more about Atlanta Public Schools, where we are getting Back to Basics, follow us on social media – X/Twitter (@apsupdate), Facebook (Atlanta Public Schools), and Instagram (apsupdate) – or visit us online at www.atlantapublicschools.us.