New Mexico
Public Education Department
300 Don Gaspar
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501-2786
Hanna Skandera
Secretary
www.ped.state.nm.us
Larry Behrens
Public Information Officer
505-476-0393
Larry.Behrens2@state.nm.us
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: November 14, 2014
Three New Mexico School Districts Set Record for
Being Named to National Advanced Placement District
Honor Roll
SANTA FE – Three New Mexico school districts made history this week for being named to the
national 5th Annual Advanced Placement (AP) District Honor Roll. The recognition was earned by
547 school districts nationwide and includes three districts from New Mexico: Gadsden, Hatch and
Santa Fe. The inclusion of the three districts is a first for New Mexico which has had one district
recognized previously (Los Alamos Schools, 2013.) Each district earns a place on the Honor Roll
by increasing the number of students taking AP courses while maintaining or increasing the
percentage of students also passing the course. Successful completion of AP courses is a key
initiative under the Martinez Administration since students who pass AP courses also earn college
credit saving tuition dollars for students and parents. This year alone, the Martinez Administration
will invest over $1.5 million in expanding AP courses across New Mexico.
The accomplishment is particularly impressive for Gadsden, Hatch and Santa Fe school districts
since each one serves a student population which has a 30 percent or greater enrollment of
American Indian, African American, and Hispanic/Latino students. The AP District Honor Roll
report also notes that Gadsden and Santa Fe schools have more than 30% of students who
qualify for free or reduced lunch.
“This is a tremendous accolade for these districts, and for our state,” said Governor Martinez.
“We are seeing minority and low-income students leading the way in our efforts to close the
achievement gap and graduate more New Mexico kids from high school. AP classes better
prepare students for college, while saving families money on tuition. We’re making important
strides in getting more high school students ready to go on to the next level.”
“This is an incredible accomplishment for the students in each of these districts who will now be
better prepared for college,” said PED Secretary Hanna Skandera. “Teachers, principals and
administrators deserve a tremendous amount of credit for not accepting excuses and helping
these students successfully take on college level courses.”
New Mexico Public Education Department
Earlier this year, AP results showed New Mexico’s Hispanic students were ranked first in the
nation for both participation and passing AP courses - the second year in a row the state has
earned the honor. Additionally, for the first time, the state’s students classified as economically
disadvantaged are ranked second in the nation for successfully passing AP courses.
In 2013, New Mexico’s students saved more than $3.5 million in college tuition bills because
students successfully passed AP courses. AP credits can then be used in nearly every college in
the country.
The full 5th Annual District AP Honor Roll report notes the 547 school districts, out of over 13,500
nationwide, that are being recognized: http://professionals.collegeboard.com/k-12/awards/apdistrict-honor-roll
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New Mexico Public Education Department