At a recent school board meeting held on the evening of Monday, November 27th, 2023, Sioux Falls School District (SFSD) Curriculum Coordinator Kristin Grinager presented a report on the Advanced Placement and Dual Credit programs offered through SFSD. This report highlighted some of the highest-recorded numbers in terms of student participation and success on exams in recent memory.
The 2022-23 school year saw 1,702 students take 2,972 exams, which shows year-over-year increases in participation since the pandemic disruptions. Of the 2,972 exams taken, 2,088 received a passing grade of 3 or higher, amounting to a 70% pass rate. This continues the trend of the last several years that shows SFSD students outpacing not only South Dakota averages (66% in 2023), but also global averages (59% in 2023).
Also of note is the steady increase in student participation in the Dual Credit program. This program provides opportunities for students to earn college credits while still in high school.
One of the key components of the SFSD District Priorities is Academic Success. We believe excellent instruction is the key to fostering high academic achievement, and the numbers presented in this report reflect on those values. 'College and Career Readiness Skills' is a sub-point under the Academic Success portion of our District Priorities. It is crucial that while we focus on current academic achievement, we also make sure to properly prepare each student for life after school, whatever that may look like for them. The growth and evolution of the AP and Dual Credit programs shows SFSD’s commitment to not only setting these specific goals focusing on student success, but also achieving them.
To view the full 2023 AP and Dual Credit Report, please follow the link below: