Both Clarke Central High School and Cedar Shoals High School were recognized as Advanced Placement Honor Schools by the Georgia Department of Education. For CCHS AP environmental science teacher Claude Gonzalez, this recognition is a testament to the school’s commitment to offering diverse learning opportunities for students. “(Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) is important because it’s how you think. Too much of society is focused on what to think, (but) STEM teaches you how to think,” Gonzalez said. “We have all these different opportunities and they’re intertwined.” Photo from the ODYSSEY archives
On Feb. 28, CCHS and Cedar Shoals High School were named Advanced Placement Honor Schools by the Georgia Department of Education.
Clarke Central High School and Cedar Shoals High School were among 301 high schools in Georgia to be named Advanced Placement Honor Schools for 2025.
According to a Feb. 28 Clarke County School District press release, out of seven categories that make up the AP Honor School designation, CCHS qualified for six, while CSHS qualified for three. This recognition is based on a variety of factors, including the number of AP exams a school offers, student performance on those exams and the demographics of testing students.
“This recognition further demonstrates CCSD’s absolute commitment to creating educational journeys that empower students to fulfill their potential,” CCSD Superintendent Dr. Robbie Hooker stated in the press release.
CCHS and CSHS were also designated as AP Humanities schools, a title given to schools who administer at least five exams in aspects of human society and culture with at least a 50% pass rate. In addition, both CCSD high schools were named AP Access and Support schools, which means at least 30% of AP exams were taken by students who identify as African American or Hispanic, and that 30% of all AP exam takers scored a three or higher.
“We continue to experience success in the area of Advanced Placement achievement due to the hard work of our talented students and their dedicated teachers who work tirelessly to provide an environment in which students are able to thrive,” Hooker stated in the press release.
In addition to the accolades above, CCHS was named an AP School of Distinction, which means at least 20% of the student body took a 2024 AP exam, with at least 50% of those exams earning a passing grade.
“We continue to experience success in the area of Advanced Placement achievement due to the hard work of our talented students and their dedicated teachers who work tirelessly to provide an environment in which students are able to thrive,”
— Dr. Robbie Hooker,
CCSD Superintendent
On top of that, CCHS was recognized as an AP Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics School, meaning a minimum of five CCHS students took AP exams in four or more STEM fields.
“(This) reflects the dedication of our students, teachers, and staff to fostering academic excellence and preparing Gladiators for success beyond the classroom,” CCHS Principal Dr. Swade Huff stated in a March 2 Clarke County School District press release. “We are proud of this accomplishment and remain committed to providing quality learning opportunities for all students.”
