Dual enrollment numbers, AP scores increase for WCSD

The Walton County School District saw increases in both dual enrollment numbers and Advanced Placement scores as the system continues to offer opportunities for high school students to earn
college credit before graduation.

Mike Robison, director of high schools for the WCSD, presented the latest numbers to the Walton County Board of Education Tuesday night at the board’s work session to show how local students are performing in high level college coursework.

“Our kids are eating them up,” Robison said, adding enrollment has increased across the board while pass rates continue to rise as well. Loganville High School had 361 students take dual enrollment classes last year, earning 1,178 credits out of a possible 1,269 for a 92% pass rate.

Monroe Area High School had 123 students earn 360 credits out of 386 for a 93% pass rate, while Walnut Grove High School had 236 students earn 808 out of 843 credits for a 95% pass rate. Overall, Robison said, that’s 2,346 college credits, a sizable increase on the previous year’s 1,720, and an average of 3.25 credits per student. All dual enrollment credits earned in such classes are accepted by any college within the state, and can transfer out of state with some adjustment.

The district has also seen increasing numbers of students taking, and passing, AP Courses with a score of 3 or better.

Overall, 625 students took 926 exams across the three WCSD high schools to earn 698 credits. Loganville saw an 80% pass rate, while Walnut Grove had a 69% pass rate and Monroe Area had a 63% pass rate. Passing rates varied depending on the test, with AP Art classes seeing a 100% pass rate, Biology an 82% pass rate, US History a 78% pass rate and English Literature a 92% pass rate. Others included US Government at 90%, Statistics at 86% and Computer Science at 67%. Only Calculus, at 57%, and Chemistry, at 64%, were below the global average passing rate.

Robison said he was most pleased, however, that the rising number of dual enrollment coursework has not had a negative impact on enrollment in AP courses.

“A lot of people suggested that more dual enrollment would mean less students in AP classes,” Robison said. “We’re not seeing that. The numbers continue to go up for both.”