Millard highlights AP, dual enrollment growth; student services reports steady attendance and increased health-room visits

Millard Public Schools administrators presented district reports on advanced placement performance, dual enrollment participation and student services during the Oct. 21 board meeting.

Advanced Placement: District staff said Millard students continued to post AP exam pass rates above state and global averages for 2024–25. Millard students passed 86% of AP exams taken; 722 students earned the AP Scholar distinction and 284 students earned AP Scholar with Distinction. Notable subject pass rates included AP Literature and Composition (91% pass rate) and AP Human Geography (92% pass rate). Presenters credited a long-standing district culture encouraging academically rigorous course selection and counseling conversations that match students to appropriate courses.

Dual enrollment and Early College: District staff reported that Millard’s dual enrollment program began in 2003 and has expanded to include multiple collegiate partners and academy-style pathways. Last year students earned more than 29,000 college credits through these programs, generating estimated tuition savings of about $2.6 million for Millard families. Staff noted the credentialing requirement for dual enrollment instructors (a master’s degree plus 18 graduate credit hours in the content area) and the district’s efforts to support teachers who pursue those credentials.

Student Services: The Student Services report covered attendance, enrollment, health services, counseling, social work, security and behavior. Highlights included a steady district attendance rate of 94% for 2024–25; a net gain of about 518 students through option enrollment (772 option-ins in and 254 opting out); 3,378 students were noted as attending Millard through option enrollment at the end of the last school year. Health-room staff recorded more than 290,000 student visits and nearly 35,000 health screenings that led to 489 referrals for further follow-up. Safety partnerships with local law enforcement and community providers such as Boys Town’s Safe to Help were described as strong; the district reported more than 2,500 safety tips or reports received in 2024–25. District behavior events decreased by 2,028 year-over-year and out-of-school suspensions fell by 61.

Board discussion and clarifications: Trustees asked whether a student should choose AP or dual enrollment; presenters recommended considering the student’s goals and noted both pathways can improve postsecondary success. Trustees also asked about difficulties staffing dual enrollment courses because of the adjunct/credential requirement; staff confirmed the requirement is specific to dual enrollment and that recruitment and credentialing is an ongoing staffing consideration.

Why this matters: High AP pass rates and robust dual enrollment participation affect college-readiness and long-term cost savings for families; the Student Services metrics inform district priorities for attendance, mental-health partnerships and school safety planning.

Ending: Administrators will continue to report AP, dual enrollment and student-services data to the board and to use this information in program planning and community communications.