Deer Lakes High School recently earned the AP School Honor Roll Bronze Award!

Of the more than 15,000 eligible schools in the United States and Canada, only 30 percent earned recognition on the AP School Honor Roll. Other local high schools to earn the bronze award include Avonworth, Fox Chapel Area, and North Allegheny.

Deer Lakes High School Principal Ryan Aleski said the award is a testament to student work ethic and the commitment by administrators and teachers districtwide to facilitate student growth and success.

“We are elated to be honored and could not be prouder of our students and teachers,” Mr. Aleski said. “This award is also a reflection of our district’s families and their support of our students and academic programs.”

Deer Lakes High School has consistently increased AP course opportunities for students in the last nine years under the direction of Superintendent Dr. Janell Logue-Belden, Assistant Superintendent Bobbi-Ann Barnes and Aleski.

The High School now has 17 AP courses, and 60 percent of the most recent graduating class participated in at least one AP course. Six percent took at least five AP courses, and 25 percent scored at least a 3 or higher on at least one AP exam during high school.

For a school to be recognized on the AP School Honor Roll, it must meet each of the following criteria anchored in research-based relationships between AP and college outcomes:

• College Culture: 40% or more of the graduating cohort took at least 1 AP Exam during high school.

• College Credit: 25% or more of the graduating cohort scored a 3 or higher on at least 1 AP Exam during high school.

• College Optimization: 2% or more of the graduating cohort took 5 or more AP Exams during high school. At least 1 of those exams was taken in 9th or 10th grade, so that students are spreading their AP experience across grades rather than feeling disproportionate pressure in any single year.