Norwell High School Achieves Record-Breaking AP Scores, Bucks National Trend in Math
District Reports Highest-Ever AP Success Rate, Return to Pre-Pandemic Math Performance
NORWELL, MA - October 21 - Norwell High School students have set a new record for Advanced Placement (AP) exam performance, with 88% scoring 3 or higher in 2024. This achievement marks the highest success rate in the school's history and places Norwell among the top-performing schools in Massachusetts for AP scores.
The results were presented during a recent school committee meeting, where Principal Marc Bender shared the district's AP report.
"This is a huge jump," Bender said. "I believe that is our highest score when we average that of the number of students who have total percent of students with a 3 or higher."
The success extends beyond AP exams. Norwell School District has also reported a return to pre-pandemic levels in math MCAS scores, with the 10th grade ranking 9th out of 414 high schools in the state.
Superintendent Matthew Keegan highlighted the significance of this achievement, especially in the context of national trends.
"We are up students this year, we're up about 23 students compared to last year, pre-K through 12," Keegan said. "A lot of that is actually coming in at the middle school level."
The district's success in math stands in stark contrast to national trends of declining math achievement post-COVID. Diane Provenzano, Director of Teaching Learning & Technology, emphasized this point.
"District-wide the math MCAS returned to pre-pandemic levels. Every grade in the district except one went up, you know, quite a bit in math," Provenzano said.
The high school's math performance was particularly noteworthy, with 87% of students meeting or exceeding expectations on the MCAS, up 3% from the previous year.
Provenzano attributed the district's success to several factors, including "the collaborative cohesive parent school community effort" and "high quality curriculum resources and the training that we've been able to bring in over these last, you know, three years or so."
The district's achievements extend beyond standardized tests. Norwell High School reported a significant increase in National Honor Society membership, with 76 students inducted this year.
"In all honesty we haven't seen that since I was principal," Keegan noted, highlighting the broader reach of academic excellence within the student body.
The school committee also heard updates on other district initiatives, including the implementation of a new 9th grade seminar course focused on character development and life skills.
Jake, a sophomore at Norwell High School, explained the course's impact: "This class is not like our other classes. In this one-term class, we learn skills and lessons that help encourage our character."
Looking ahead, the district plans to continue its focus on student attendance and curriculum development. Provenzano outlined several areas for improvement, including comprehensive health and PE department updates, continued math and ELA implementation, and new initiatives in history, social studies, and science.
The meeting also touched on transportation logistics, with the district reporting one of its best years in terms of bus scheduling and minimal issues.
As the district celebrates its achievements, school officials remain focused on maintaining this upward trajectory. The strategic planning process is underway, with a survey garnering 1,811 responses from the community, far exceeding expectations.
Keegan expressed optimism about the level of engagement: "We are at 1,811, which they see as absolutely fantastic."