Edmond Life and Leisure - August 15, 2024

Francis Tuttle students excel in AP Calculus examination

A group of Oklahoma computer science students can now add bragging rights to the college credit they’ll receive for passing the AP Calculus AB exam.

Students in the Computer Science Academy at Francis Tuttle Technology Center recorded an 87.5% pass rate on the notoriously difficult exam. That figure surpasses the average for Oklahoma, 54.6%, and the global pass rate of 64.2%.

In addition, 63% of the Francis Tuttle group that passed the exam received a top score of 5 and all received either a 4 or 5. The AP Calculus AB exam grades on a scale of 1-5, and most colleges will grant credit to prospective freshmen with a score of 3 or higher.

“What I am most proud for this year’s students is that everyone who passed scored a 4 or 5,” Sherilyn Herndon, who teaches the Honors Algebra 2 class at Francis Tuttle, said. “That is very difficult to do, and it shows their level of understanding is very strong. As a teacher, I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

The Computer Science Academy is one of Francis Tuttle’s STEM academies for high school students. They spend half of the school day at their high school and the other half studying advanced placement science and math classes and material that prepares them for a university degree program.

STEM academies provide students with hands on learning opportunities and real-world job applications for their studies. Some students participate in internship programs before they enter college, and while most of the material only prepares students for college work, some of what they work on – like the AP Calculus AB exam – can earn them college credit.