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Carson High expands AP participation and pass rates, staff say students earned over $500,000 in college credit potential
Summary
District leaders said AP exam participation and pass rates increased steadily from 2021 to 2025, with pass rates rising from about 55% to 73% and more than 700 AP tests taken in 2025; staff credited pre‑AP pathways, teacher training and fee assistance from the district foundation.
Carson High School’s Advanced Placement (AP) program grew sharply over five years, district staff told trustees March 25, with both more students taking exams and higher pass rates.
Chief Academic Officer Brandon Bringhurst presented five years of AP trend data showing that AP tests taken rose from roughly 500 tests in 2021 to more than 700 in 2025, while the share of exams scoring a three or higher rose from about 55% to almost 73% over that period. Bringhurst said those improvements were driven by expanding pre‑AP and middle‑school readiness work, teacher professional development and targeted supports for non‑traditional AP students.
"According to the College Board, in 2025, based on those tests passed, students earned up to over a half million dollars worth of college credits," Bringhurst said. Bridget Gordon, AP coordinator, credited growth to adding non‑traditional AP offerings (for example AP Spanish and AP Psychology), launching pre‑AP curricula in middle school, and financial assistance from the Carson City Schools Foundation to reduce test‑fee barriers.
Gordon said expanded course options and fee mitigation both matter: AP test fees are about $100 per exam, and the district foundation has provided subsidies and $25,000 in support to lower costs for families and expand participation. The district also emphasized teacher supports (summer training and national scoring experience) to raise pass rates in classes such as AP Psychology, pre‑calculus and English composition.
Why it matters: Higher AP participation and pass rates increase college readiness and can reduce college costs for students through earned credits; district staff framed the advances as evidence that curriculum alignment and targeted outreach broaden opportunity.
What happens next: Staff said they will continue expanding AP course offerings (including technical and non‑traditional AP courses) and exploring PSAT/assessment strategies at earlier grades to identify AP potential.
