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AP enrollment and exam participation rise at Liberty, Freedom; district flags Title IV funding uncertainty
Summary
District assistant principals reported increased AP enrollment and higher exam participation rates at Liberty and Freedom high schools in 2024–25; the presentation also noted reliance on Title IV funds to subsidize exam fees and concerns about possible cuts to that funding.
Assistant principals from Liberty and Freedom high schools presented the district’s AP Equity and Excellence report at the Sept. 8 curriculum committee meeting, reporting increases in both enrollment and participation for the 2024–25 school year.
Liberty reported 755 students enrolled in AP courses and an 87% participation rate on AP exams (up from 725 enrolled and 80% participation the prior year). Liberty’s overall mean exam score increased from 2.81 (2023–24) to 2.87 (2024–25). Freedom reported 702 students enrolled (up from 572) and 593 students who took an exam — an 84.47% participation rate and a mean exam score increase from 3.01 to 3.30.
District staff said the Bethlehem Area SD definition of “AP equity and excellence” is 70% of students who took the course earning a 3 or higher on the AP exam; the College Board’s APPI metric (the share of a graduating class with a 3+ on at least one AP exam) is tracked separately. Freedom’s College Board APPI was reported at 18.8%; the College Board’s APPI figure for Liberty’s 2025 graduating class was not yet available at the time of the presentation because the College Board had not released complete data to the district.
Presenters credited teacher collaboration, targeted professional development (including AP Central support), monthly AP cohorts and outreach to increase participation. They noted that the district has for years used Title IV funds to subsidize student AP exam fees (district staff said the program typically covers students’ first exam and sometimes a second), and expressed concern that Title IV funding appeared likely to be reduced for the 2026–27 school year; staff said they will need to plan for how to maintain access to AP exams if federal support declines.
Board members raised the cost of AP exams (about $90 per exam) and noted waivers and fee reductions for students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch; staff also said the district pursues state and College Board fee-reduction options when available.
