Gwinnett County school district gets national award
Georgia's largest public school district received national recognition Tuesday for its efforts in getting students to take more rigorous courses and for how students performed in those classes.
The College Board named Gwinnett County its large Advanced Placement District of the Year. The College Board, headquartered in New York City, creates the framework for Advanced Placement classes and the SAT. Colleges typically give more consideration to students who take and fare well on AP courses.
College Board officials made the announcement Tuesday at Gwinnett’s Duluth High School.
Since 2014, student participation in AP has increased in Gwinnett by five percent each year, College Board officials said. Last school year, 61 percent of Gwinnett students scored a 3 or better, which is the threshold for strong performance.
Duluth High principal Anthony Smith credited the students for the honor.
“It is a celebration of what you have accomplished,” Smith said.
About the Author
Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He currently writes about higher education and has assisted in the newsroom’s COVID-19 vaccine coverage. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.
