Apache Junction board hears large growth in AP participation; approves Imprints of Honor partnership

Apache Junction Unified District staff told the governing board on Aug. 26 that participation in Advanced Placement courses and AP exams at the high school has grown sharply over the last two reporting years.

The presenter said 8 students took AP exams in the period identified as “02/2024,” rising to about 75–80 students in the period identified as “02/2025.” The total number of exams administered rose from about 10 to 101 in the same span, and the number of students scoring a 3 or higher on AP exams rose from four to 27, reducing the percentage of 3+ scores from roughly 50% to about 36% as participation increased. The presenter also told the board that 246 student enrollments are recorded across current AP classes, with the caveat that some students may be counted in more than one course.

The presenter described AP as a chance for students to earn potential college credit and credited teachers for training and recruiting students into higher‑rigor coursework. Board members had no substantive questions during the presentation.

On a separate but related agenda item, the board voted to approve a memorandum of understanding and volunteer waiver with Imprints of Honor, a program that records veterans’ oral histories and publishes them. According to the materials presented, the high school’s Imprints of Honor chapter plans to conduct five veteran interviews this year; students will interview, write, design and publish the stories.

The board passed the Imprints of Honor memorandum by voice vote; the meeting record shows the motion passed with a 5‑0 recorded outcome. The motion was seconded and received affirmative votes from board members who spoke on the record.

Other policy‑and‑procedure revisions were presented for approval during the meeting (policy 1‑302; policy 1‑401 and procedure 1‑401a; policy 5‑401; policy 5‑402; and a procedure labeled 4‑3‑2). Those items were introduced, seconded and discussed; the meeting transcript records board members saying “yes” in support of the motions, but a line‑by‑line final tally for each policy item was not explicitly recorded in the available transcript excerpt.

Votes at a glance

- Imprints of Honor memorandum and volunteer waiver with the high school — Motion seconded; recorded outcome: approved (yes: 5; no: 0; abstain: 0). - Policy revisions (policy 1‑302; policy 1‑401 and procedure 1‑401a; policy 5‑401; policy 5‑402) and procedure 4‑3‑2 — Motions were made and seconded; affirmative votes were voiced by board members during the meeting. Final tallies for each policy item were not explicitly recorded in the available transcript excerpt.

The board did not debate further funding or curricular changes to AP courses at the Aug. 26 meeting; staff said they would continue to expand access and credited trained teachers for the increased participation.