Habersham Central AP students were among those invited by the College Board to attend AP Day at the State Capitol.
Reece Baca, Daniel Ballesteros, Sophie Bramlett, Lilly Minskoff, Kate Navarro, McKenzie Smith, and Micah Zack joined students from six other high schools. They discussed the impact of Advanced Placement (AP) courses and visited with local lawmakers.
The students spoke in favor of expanded support for exam fees and a standard AP credit policy for the state’s public colleges and universities, said Habersham County School District Gifted Coordinator Martha Cantrell.
Paying for AP exams
Students heard from College Board representatives, Deputy School Superintendent Dr. April Aldridge, and Rep. Chris Erwin (R-Homer)
Erwin, the former school superintendent in Banks County, stressed the importance of AP courses and shared the news that the House of Representatives had voted to increase funding for AP exams.
Georgia currently funds one STEM exam or one exam for students demonstrating financial need. The Habersham County Board of Education provides additional support for students by paying for all remaining AP exams to provide access to all students who undertake these rigorous college-level courses, said Cantrell.
Students met with alums serving under the Gold Dome
HCHS students met with Rep. Victor Anderson (R-Cornelia) and former Rep. Terry Rogers. Former HCHS AP student Sen. Bo Hatchett (R-Cornelia) invited them to the floor of the Senate Chamber. Students were also able to observe both the House and the Senate in session and celebrated AP Day with Gov. Brian Kemp and First Lady of Georgia, Marty Kemp.
The Georgia Department of Education recently recognized Habersham Central as an AP Honor STEM School. The designation goes to schools offering at least four AP STEM courses. Georgia DOE also recognized Central as an AP Honor STEM Achievement School. That designation goes to schools with at least 50% of all AP STEM exams earning scores of 3 or higher.
Based on 2023 AP exams, Habersham County Schools students earned potential credit for 343 college courses, said Cantrell.
