Five students at South Effingham High School have earned the designation of AP Scholar by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement Program Exams.

The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program offers students the opportunity to take challenging, college-level subjects while still in high school and to receive college credit, advanced placement, or both for successful performance on the AP Exams. About 18 percent of the more that 1.4 million high school students in more that 16,000 secondary schools worldwide who took AP Exams performed at a sufficiently high level to merit the recognition of AP Scholar.

Students took AP Exams in May 2007 after completing challenging college-level courses at their high schools. The College Board recognizes several levels of achievement based on students’ performance on AP Exams.

At South Effingham High School five students qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three or more AP Exams with grades of 3 or higher. The AP Scholars are Sarah Brock, Amanda Price, Eric Reid, Kiarra Waldburg and Heather Haslett.

Most of the nation’s colleges and universities award credit, advanced placement, or both based on successful performance on the AP Exams. More than 1,400 institutions award a full year’s credit (sophomore standing) to students presenting a sufficient number of qualifying grades.

In 2007, 37 AP Exams were offered in a wide variety of subject areas, each consisting of multiple-choice and free-response (essay or problem-solving or oral response) questions (except for the Studio Art exam which evaluates students’ original artwork).

The College Board is a not-for-profit membership organization whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the association is composed of more that 5,200 schools, colleges, universities and other educational organizations.

Each year, the College Board serves 7 million students and their parents, 23,000 high schools and 3,500 colleges through major programs and services in college admissions, guidance, assessment, financial aid, enrollment and teaching and learning.

Among its best-known programs are the SAT, the PSAT/NMSQT and the Advanced Placement Program. The College Board is committed to the principles of excellence and equity, and that commitment is embodies in all its programs, services, activities and concerns.