PELHAM – Pelham High School recently reported an increase after teachers received the results from Advanced Placement tests for the 2016-2017 school year in July. Pelham City Schools Career Curriculum Coordinator and Career Tech Director Shannon Bogert said she especially noticed an increase in scores for AP Calculus and AP Biology.

Bogert said she attributes the increase in scores to the increased interest from teachers in pre-AP training for students in seventh through 12^th grades. She said many teachers use the Laying the Foundation program to help students prepare.

“I’m so proud of our secondary teachers,” Bogert said. “They’ve given up weeks at a time to go through that training.”

Bogert said teacher Alisa Creel, who teaches AP Calculus, was dedicated to keeping her curriculum up-to-date.

“That teacher really reflected on what worked in the past and totally revamped the curriculum,” Bogert said.

Bogert also commended teacher Lee Short, who is in charge of AP Biology.

“She did a lot of focusing on analytical writing, and she spent a lot of time having students reflect on their labs,” Bogert said.

In addition to training, Bogert said students participated in mock AP exams and participated in Saturday study sessions before the tests. Through the increase in scores, Bogert said more students will have more opportunities at a collegiate level.

“We had more qualifying scores. More of our students have the option to convert scores into college credit,” Bogert said.