Four local schools were among the 609 listed recently as Advanced Placement Honor Schools by State School Superintendent Richard Woods.

"These designations recognize schools where students are succeeding in college-level learning, and I'm pleased to say that the number of those successes continues to increase," Woods said in a news release announcing the honor schools. "I offer my congratulations to the students and teachers at all of these schools — it's their hard work that led to this honor."

The 2015 AP Honor Schools are named in five categories, based on the results of 2014 AP courses and exams.
Statesboro High School led the way among local schools with three honors: STEM Achievement, STEM and Access and Support.

AP STEM Schools have students testing in at least two AP math courses and two AP science courses. (STEM is a common education acronym standing for science, technology, education and math.)

AP STEM Achievement Schools have students testing in at least two AP math courses and two AP science courses and at least 40 percent of the exam scores on AP math and AP science exams earning scores of 3 or higher.

AP Access and Support Schools have at least 30 percent of AP exams taken by students who identified themselves as African-American and/or Hispanic, and 30 percent of all AP exams earning scores of 3 or higher.

Southeast Bulloch High and Portal Middle High schools were named AP Challenge Schools. These have enrollments of 900 or fewer students and students testing in four of the core areas (English, math, science, and social studies).

Screven County High School also received two honors, AP Access and Support School and Challenge School.

AP courses and exams are administered by the College Board, which also administers the SAT. AP courses are one of several ways Georgia students can access college-level learning opportunities. Students who receive a 3, 4, or 5 on AP exams may receive college credit.

The Georgia Department of Education began recognizing AP Honor Schools in 2008.