Blanson CTE High School receives silver award, Avalos P-TECH School receives bronze; Both Receive AP Access Awards – Aldine ISD

The College Board’s AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools that excel in providing students with academic achievement and enhanced placement opportunities.

Blanson Career Technology Education (CTE) High School and Avalos P-TECH School are proud to announce that they have been named to the College Board’s 2024 AP School Honor Roll, receiving the prestigious Silver and Bronze awards, respectively.

In addition to the Silver and Bronze awards, Blanson CTE HS and Avalos P-TECH School received the AP Access Award. It is the second year in a row that Blanson has received this award. AP Access recognizes schools’ commitment to expanding access to AP courses for students from underrepresented backgrounds.

AP School Honor Roll

Launched in 2023, the AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools with AP programs that deliver results for students while expanding access. Schools qualify based on criteria that promote college culture, credit transfer opportunities, and college readiness.

“We are incredibly proud of our students, teachers, counselors, administrators and parents for these achievements,” said Dr. Susan Pelezo, executive director of the AISD Advanced Academics Office. “We and our schools are committed to providing all students with opportunities to challenge themselves academically and prepare for success in college and beyond.”

The AP School Honor Roll offers four award levels: bronze, silver, gold and platinum. Blanson CTE High School and Avalos P-TECH School join an elite group dedicated to expanding students’ academic horizons.

Qualification criteria

Schools will receive a spot on the AP School Honor Roll if they meet the following criteria for their most recent graduating class (2023-2024 school year):

• • Student loan: At least 25% received a grade of C or better on at least one AP exam.
  • University optimization: At least 2% took five or more AP exams, one of them in ninth or tenth grade, to make up for the AP experience in high school.

AP Access Award

The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools that excel in providing students with opportunities to earn college credit and internships, fostering a college-going culture, and maximizing college readiness.

This award recognizes the school’s efforts to break down barriers and provide all students, regardless of background, equal access to challenging courses.

Schools will receive the additional award if the percentage of AP exam takers who are underrepresented minority and/or low-income students matches the school’s overall student demographics. Suppose 50% of a school’s students are low-income. In this case, 50% of AP exam takers must also be low-income for a school to receive the AP Access Award.

AP courses and college readiness

Pelezo said the Advanced Placement Program allows students to pursue college-level studies while still in high school. Through rigorous coursework and assessments, students develop critical thinking skills, develop persuasive arguments, and explore multiple perspectives, preparing them for the challenges of higher education and beyond.

Students and parents interested in learning more about AP opportunities at Blanson CTE High School and Avalos P-TECH School are encouraged to contact the schools’ AP coordinators. Principal Joshua Van Donsel and Principal Stephen Heady each lead the campuses.