Columbia, S.C. – State Superintendent of Education Molly M. Spearman announced that Spartanburg School District Three was chosen as the winner of one of only four national College Board Gaston Caperton Opportunity Awards along with a $25,000 award to support programs encouraging students to attend college.  Additionally, The College Board named two State AP Scholars for their outstanding achievement on AP exams for the 2014-15 school year.

Gaston Caperton Opportunity Award

“I am very excited that Gettys D. Broome High School has received this national recognition for its commitment to expanding college opportunities for traditionally under-represented students,” said Spearman.  “They are setting a great example by opening doors for students during and after high school and preparing them for careers and citizenship.  I am proud of their success,” concluded Spearman.

The Gaston Caperton Opportunity Awards recognizes schools and districts that are excelling in creating opportunities for traditionally underrepresented students.  To win a Gaston Caperton Opportunity Award, a school must:

• Be on the honor roll (achieving all necessary metrics outlined below);
• Have a population of at least 30 percent low income/free and reduced lunch;
• Not have academic/entry requirements;
• Increased the number of Total Under-represented Students who took the SAT;
• Increased the number of Total Under-represented Students who took an AP course and exam;
• Increased the number of Total Under-represented Students who were on-track for college, as demonstrated by scoring 1550+ on the SAT;
• Increased the number of Total Under-represented Students who scored a 3+ on an AP exam;
• Increased the number of Total Under-represented Students who sent their SAT scores to at least four colleges.

Composite SAT scores at Gettys D. Broome High School increased 54 points from 2014 to 2015, and AP participation more than doubled over five years.  The school was also named to the College Board’s 6th Annual AP District Honor Roll.  Spartanburg County School District Three is one of two districts in the state of South Carolina to receive this distinguished honor.  This is the second consecutive year the District has been recognized.

AP Scholar Awards

State AP Scholar awards go to the one male and one female student in each U.S. state and the District of Columbia who attained scores of three or higher on the greatest number of AP Exams, and then also attained the highest average score (at least 3.5) on all AP Exams taken.

 

The two students recognized by The College Board for their outstanding achievement on AP exams for the 2014-15 school year are Casey Brayton from Irmo, who graduated from Dutch Fork High School and Bertrand Zhang from North Charleston, who graduated from Academic Magnet High School.

“For our State AP Scholar Award winners, Casey Brayton from Irmo and Bertrand Zhang from North Charleston, you have achieved a national distinction that deserves recognition,” stated Spearman.

The College Board’s Advanced Placement program consists of 37 subject courses that each conclude with a rigorous exam.  Research indicates that students who score a three or higher on an AP exam typically experience greater academic success in college and are more likely to earn a college degree than non-AP students.

Photo 1: L-R: Kenny Blackwood, Superintendent; Erin Smith, AP English teacher; Rodney Graves, Principal; Michaela Mabry, Student; Mayra Garcia, Student Government President; Nhia Thao, Student; Kevin Cox, Assistant Principal; Barbara Cronan, Vice-President of Membership, College Board; and Alex Chavarry, Chief of K-12 Services.

Photo 2: Casey Brayton

Photo 3: Bertrand Zhang

 

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