Rockland High School AP Scores Surge to Record 76% Passing Rate, Signaling Academic Turnaround
ROCKLAND - November 24 - The Rockland School Committee celebrated a dramatic five-year improvement in Advanced Placement exam performance November 24, with the high school’s passing rate climbing from 33% in 2020-2021 to 76% in 2024-2025, while the number of students taking the rigorous college-level exams more than doubled.
The Full Story
Rockland High School Principal Cheryl Schipper presented comprehensive data showing that 303 students took AP exams in the most recent academic year, earning an average score of 3.2 out of 5—well above the passing threshold of 3.0. The improvement represents a remarkable trajectory from five years earlier, when just 117 students took AP exams with a 2.2 average score.
“We continue to trend in the right direction with our passing rate going up,” Schipper told the school committee. “We are very proud of our advanced placement scores of 2025.”
The district now offers 14 AP courses and is exploring adding a business AP class based on student interest. The most dramatic improvements came in chemistry, which jumped from 54% passing to 100% passing, with average scores rising from 2.64 to 3.56. European history also achieved 100% passing with an average score of 4.14—a level that typically earns college credit and saves families tuition dollars.
“For anybody who’s had students take or are familiar or have had students take AP tests, anything over a 4.0 often, a 4, excuse me, often translates to dollars because students can get exempted from taking those classes in college,” Schipper explained. “That’s really incredibly impressive.”
Other standout performances included AP Biology (88.9% passing, up from 65.8%), AP English Language and Composition (97.4% passing, up from 63.2%), and AP Calculus AB (100% passing). The Principal noted that 11 of the 14 AP subjects showed improvements compared to the previous year, with particular strength in biology, chemistry, English, history, and psychology.
The presentation highlighted not just academic achievement but student dedication. Schipper recounted how 58 students taking the AP Psychology exam in May faced a two-hour technology failure on the testing platform. Rather than postpone to a makeup date, students remained in their seats until 4:30 or 5:00 p.m. on a Friday afternoon, with some not beginning the exam until two hours after the scheduled start time.
“That’s a testament to the work the teachers are doing in this building to really prepare them to take it seriously, to not give up,” she said. “That very much impressed me on a Friday afternoon, that the kids hung in there and they weren’t like, I’m out of here and I’ll do the makeup. They really wanted to get started.”
School Committee Chair Jill Maroney praised the collaborative culture among AP students and faculty support. “I’ve seen the difference in her [my daughter]. But I’ve also seen the support she’s getting from the faculty, but from her fellow students as well. They’re like a team together. They all want the same things. They all drive each other. They’re helping each other out.”
Committee member Michele Bissonnette noted the significance of the improvement happening across different student cohorts each year. “It’s not like you started here and it was the same group you’re working with all the way up and they’ve improved, but it’s a different group each time,” she said. “So that’s pretty impressive.”
Schipper emphasized that the success stems from highly engaging instruction, citing a recent visit to an AP psychology class where students conducted sensory perception experiments—covering their eyes to identify objects by touch or sampling potato chips without sight or smell to understand how different senses affect taste.
In other business, the committee received a quarterly fiscal year 2026 budget update from Assistant Superintendent Jane Hackett, who reported significant stabilization in out-of-district special education costs. The district projects only a 15% increase in those costs compared to previous years, “significantly below both our three-year average and our three-year actual percentage,” Hackett said.
The positive projection reflects strengthening in-house special education programs from the Early Childhood Center through middle school. The district did add staff this year based on enrollment, including a kindergarten teacher and paraprofessional at Esten Early Childhood Center and an additional Autism Spectrum Disorder program at Phelps Elementary requiring a teacher and two paraprofessionals.
Hackett noted the district is experiencing 20 staff pregnancies this school year, breaking the previous record and affecting substitute and salary budget lines. She also reported maintenance challenges at aging middle school and high school buildings. Despite these pressures, the overall $35 million budget projection remains on target.
“Right now, we’re holding steady,” Hackett said, adding that the committee receives detailed monthly general ledger reports showing year-to-date spending on every budget line. The district has maintained four consecutive years with no findings in outside audits.
Superintendent Alan Cron presented his goals for his final year before retirement in July. The five goals focus on leadership transition planning for incoming superintendent Jane Hackett, incoming Director of Student Services Dr. Jen Curtis-Whipple, and incoming Director of Maintenance Brian Visconti; deepening use of student performance data to improve literacy and math instruction; maintaining facility improvements with emphasis on safety and sustainability; preserving fiscal excellence; and reinforcing “Bulldog Pride, one community, one purpose.”
“Let’s remind us that you are done as of July 1st, and yet you’re still putting yourself, holding yourself with your feet to the fire,” Maroney told Cron. “You’re not going out easy. You’re still going with what you want to continue on, leaving your legacy here, but making sure that your team is ready for you to go.”
Cron congratulated fall athletic teams, particularly the boys’ soccer team for reaching the state finals, and wished the community a happy Thanksgiving. “When I think of Rockland, I think of Thanksgiving,” he said, citing the Holiday Magic fundraiser and community care initiatives. “Just always proud of this place. Incredibly proud.”
The committee approved several fundraising activities, including completed fundraisers that raised over $4,600 combined for various class activities and student programs. The class of 2028 netted $116 from selling staff t-shirts and $835 from raffling yard lines. The Phelps Parent Advisory Council raised $1,200 from a “flocking” fundraiser with lawn flamingos and $715 so far from selling calendar magnets.
Why It Matters
The dramatic improvement in AP exam performance demonstrates that Rockland High School students are achieving college-level academic standards at rates comparable to state and global averages. For families, this means students can potentially earn college credit while still in high school, reducing future tuition costs—particularly important given that scores of 4 or 5 typically earn credit at most colleges and universities. The expansion from 117 to 303 students taking AP exams also shows that rigorous coursework is accessible to a broader range of students, better preparing more graduates for post-secondary success. The stabilization of special education costs while maintaining strong programs suggests the district is managing resources effectively while meeting diverse student needs.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To approve the minutes from the October 27th meeting. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 02:08)
Motion: To approve monthly reports for administrators, guidance, nurse, and pupil personnel services. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 14:30)
Motion: To approve financial reports for school department, high school student activities, middle school student activities, and food services. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 14:47)
Motion: To approve 14 department head monthly reports from athletic department, art, computer technology, consumer sciences, physical education, dean, English, foreign language, math, middle school, music, radio/TV station, science, social studies, and special education. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 15:48)
Motion: To approve the 11-24 projection for the fiscal year 2026 budget. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 23:09)
Motion: To approve homeschool requests. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 23:28)
Motion: To approve two new fundraisers: WRPS Rockland’s Got Talent and class of 2029 Chipotle night. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 23:49)
Motion: To adjourn. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 33:19)
Public Comment
There were no public comments during the audience participation portion of the meeting.
What’s Next
The committee will continue receiving quarterly fiscal year 2026 budget updates, with the next presentation anticipated at the spring public hearing. Superintendent Cron will work on his five goals throughout his final year before retirement on July 1st, including leadership transition planning. The district is exploring the addition of an AP business class based on student interest. A Family Engagement Night focused on Holiday Traditions is scheduled for December 8th at Phelps Elementary School.