HHS breaks school record for AP exam passing rate

By MACKENZEE SIMMS | Staff Writer 

HELENA – Since its founding in 2014, Helena High School has continued to improve. Now, 10 years later, Helena High School celebrates the new highest pass rate on AP exams in the school’s history.

During the 2023-2024 school year, 334 students at HHS were registered in advanced placement classes. Collectively, these students finished a combined total of 697 total AP exams, with an overall passing rate of 64 percent.

According to the AP website, AP exams are available in seven subject categories and schools must be authorized by the AP Course Audit to use the AP distinction.

“The Advanced Placement program enables willing and academically prepared students to pursue college-level studies while still in high school,” the website reads. “The AP program develops college-level courses that high schools can choose to offer and corresponding AP exams that are administered once a year.”

This year also marked an increase in the total number of AP courses offered at Helena High School. With the addition of AP precalculus and calculus BC, the total number of AP courses available to students is now 21 classes.

Helena High School Principal Elizabeth Bahr thanked HHS teachers for their passion and students for their hard work to make this accolade possible.

“I am incredibly proud of our students and the dedication of our teachers that led to the increase in our AP scores this year,” Bahr said. “This achievement is attributed to the hard work and commitment to excellence that our students and teachers consistently demonstrate.”

Those interested in learning more about Helena High School can visit Shelbyed.k12.al.us/o/hhs.

SportsPlus

280 Main Story

Week 11 Predictions: Pair of county battles headline last week before playoffs

News

Bulls continue strong start with wins over Evansville, Pensacola

News

Pelham fights hard but falls in state finals to Spanish Fort

Alabaster Main Story

Students learn about the dangers of impaired driving through VR simulation

News

Kim Kiel promoted to assistant superintendent of PCS

280 Main Story

Shelby County Football Show: Week 11

280 Main Story

Thompson moves up two spots, Vincent drops out, Spain Park holds in Week 10 rankings

280 Main Story

Chelsea’s magical run ends in first-ever Class 6A semifinal appearance

News

Pelham books spot in 6A title game after sweep of Gulf Shores

Alabaster Main Story

Alabaster plans for traffic signal improvements on Highway 119, sets hearing for water leak ordinance

Columbiana

Cornerstone scores school-record 88 in shootout at Macon-East, enters playoffs undefeated

Calera

Calera to host inaugural Nerd Fest

Business

Big Bad Breakfast to open Pelham location at Canopy

News

Pelham sweeps Jasper to punch ticket to 6A semifinals

280 Main Story

Chelsea dominates Cullman in sweep to advance to 6A semifinals

280 Main Story

CASA of Shelby County to hold second online silent auction

Alabaster Main Story

‘A huge success:’ Alabaster hosts 2024 Fall Fest, Jubilee #4

Alabaster Main Story

Columbiana police identify husband as the suspect in murder of Charity Lea Snow

280 Main Story

John Shoemaker wins Last Chance Classic as Oak Mountain, Chelsea finish regular season

Alabaster Main Story

Helena’s Austin Lewis, three Thompson Warriors named to North All-Star Team for North-South Classic

Helena

Coroner identifies victims of fatal collision in Helena

280 Main Story

Shelby County sex offender database keeps residents informed

Columbiana

Nicholas Turner and Joe Lay win Alabama Bass Trail Championship at Lay Lake

Helena

Two declared dead at Helena motorcycle collision on Hwy 95