Top scholars from Horton Class of ‘07

Two members of the class of 2007 from Horton High School have recently been named Advanced Placement (AP) Scholars by the U. S.-based College Board.

Amy Smith, now studying at Concordia University, and Daniel Draper, presently at the University of Waterloo, received the honor as a result of their achievements on the Advanced Placement course exams written last May. To qualify, a student must attain a mark of three or better on at least three of the challenging AP exams. The highest possible mark a student can achieve on an exam is a five.

Horton has had AP scholars in the past, but none since moving to the new facility; 2007 was the first year the scholar option was possible.

Annapolis Valley Regional School Board AP Liaison Peter Selig was pleased with the news.

“There are over 491 schools involved in the AP program in Canada alone with 12,984 AP students, so to have Horton again on the AP Scholar map is important for the school. Results like this are very encouraging for our AVRSB Advanced Placement Program, that now encompasses seven schools.”

The AP program is administered through the College Board and AP Canada offers a wide variety of courses. Students enrolled in AP courses face curriculum comparable to a first-year university course. Students attaining a certain academic level in these courses can receive first-year credits at most North American universities, and it also enhances the student’s chances of receiving university entrance scholarships.

“The AVRSB is seen as a leader in Eastern Canada with its AP initiatives. Two of our teachers worked with the College Board in the development of their respective AP courses and, to complement the school-based programs in three schools, we have implemented a internet-based teleconference program of courses that allows students in smaller schools to have the educational opportunities available to students in larger schools.

“We have moved from approximately 20 exams being written by AVRSB students two years ago to over 100 exams this year - is a considerable jump.” Interested people can learn more of the AVRSB program by going to the Horton High school website, www.horton.ednet.ns.ca, and following the AVRSB AP link.