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Manassas reports big gains in advanced-academics participation and AP success
Summary
MCPS officials told the board that advanced-academics participation has risen sharply across middle and high school programs, with AP participation and passing scores up significantly and expanded dual-enrollment and AVID offerings planned for 2026–27.
Laura Goldsong, Manassas City Public Schools' director of instruction, told the board the division has seen rapid growth in advanced-academic pathways and is working to make access more equitable.
“MCPS pays for all AP exams,” Goldsong said, describing the district’s removal of financial barriers. She presented data showing the number of students taking at least one AP exam rose from 295 to 474 (a 61% increase) and the number of AP exams taken rose from 343 to 747 (a 118% increase). The number of students earning a 3 or higher increased from 103 to 252, a 145% gain, Goldsong said.
Goldsong framed the changes as part of a continuum that includes honors, AP, dual enrollment with Northern Virginia Community College, AVID, and an early-identification program run in partnership with George Mason University. She said middle-school advanced-math enrollment grew by about 55% since 2023–24 and attributed some placement changes to Virginia’s House Bill 2686, which automatically advances students who score in the top statewide quartile on the math SOL unless parents opt out.
The director emphasized multiple-placement measures beyond a single test score: classroom performance, teacher recommendations, student goals and family input. She also highlighted hands-on projects from integrated programs at Metz Middle School and an expanded AVID rollout, including new sections for multilingual learners.
Board members asked for follow-up data on topics raised during the presentation — for example, historic timelines for covering AP/SAT testing costs and year-over-year breakdowns for honors-course enrollment — and Goldsong and administrators said they would provide that information after the meeting.
Next steps noted by the district include expanded AVID sections, recruiting earlier for the George Mason EIP program, continued teacher professional learning, and tracking outcomes for students placed into accelerated math pathways.
