About the Iowa AP Index
Calculating the AP Index
Every public and nonpublic high school in Iowa that is accredited by the state Department of Education and that administered at least one AP exam in May 2010 was invited to participate in the 2011 AP Index. Schools had the opportunity to decline participating in the 2011 AP Index.
The Iowa AP Index for a given high school is the ratio of AP exams taken by its students (any grade) divided by the number of its graduating seniors.
| Iowa AP Index = | Number of graduates |
The number of graduating seniors per school was provided by the Iowa Department of Education. The number of AP exams administered per school was provided by the College Board.
For reference, an AP Index of 1.00 means that the number of AP exams for that school equals the number of graduates. A high AP Index is a reflection that a school has developed a culture that is supportive of student participation in AP courses and exams. The Iowa AP Index provides a fair comparison of AP opportunity across school size.
The 2011 Iowa AP Index is based on the AP exams taken in May 2010 and seniors graduating in May/June 2010. In the 2009-2010 school year, there were 375 (348 public and 27 nonpublic) accredited high schools, according to the Iowa Department of Education’s Condition of Education report. Of these 375 accredited high schools, 209 (193 public and 16 nonpublic), or 55.7% of schools, had at least one student take an AP exam in 2010.
Of the 209 schools eligible for the 2011 AP Index (i.e., not magnet and Specially Accredited College Preparatory Schools), 96.7% (202 schools; 186 public and 16 nonpublic) agreed to participate in the 2011 Iowa AP Index.
The Iowa AP Index for all public high schools in Iowa
We calculated a 2011 AP Index score for all the accredited public schools in Iowa based on all exams taken by Iowa students in 2010 and 2010 graduating seniors in Iowa public schools.
for all Public High Schools in Iowa |
= | 34,334 Graduates |
= | 0.38 | Thus, one AP exam was taken for approximately every 2.6 students graduating from an accredited Iowa public high school. |
For comparison, the 2010 AP Index for all Iowa accredited public high schools was 0.36. Thus, the 2011 Index for all public schools indicates a slight increase in AP participation in the state compared to 2010.
Magnet and college prep schools
Magnet schools, Specially Accredited College Preparatory High Schools, non-accredited schools, and home schools are not included in the AP Index ranking. However, the Belin-Blank Center recognizes magnet schools and Specially Accredited College Preparatory High Schools for providing AP opportunities.
Des Moines Central Academy, a nationally known magnet school, is recognized for the excellent performance of its students. We commend Central Academy for its 2011 AP Index of 3.28.
Rivermont Collegiate, in Bettendorf, is a Specially Accredited College Preparatory School that places special emphasis on AP coursework and exams. We commend Rivermont Collegiate for its 2011 AP Index of 3.50.