Eagle Rock High AP Test Scores Rank Among Top 14 Schools for Latinos and African-Americans

has long ranked high among LAUSD schools—and now it’s rubbing shoulders with schools nationwide. The College Board, which administers Advanced Placement exams, recently named Eagle Rock High among the top 14 schools in the U.S. that excel in the AP examination success of Latino and African-American students. What’s more, Eagle Rock High was the only school in California to be so recognized.

“I am so proud of the Eagle Rock High School students, staff and community for this national recognition,” Yolie Flores, a member of the LAUSD Board of Education member, said in a statement released by her office. “Not only is the number of Latino and African-American students taking AP exams increasing, but more importantly, the number of Latino and African-American students succeeding in AP exams is a testament to their hard work and dedication.”

AP classes are college-level courses offered to high school students, followed by a nationwide exam. The exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5, and in most cases a 3 or higher score earns students college credit toward the university of their choice.

Nearly 70 percent of Eagle Rock High’s student body consists of Latinos, and a little more than 1 percent are African-Americans. The school currently offers 18 AP courses, which have steadily increased over the years, mirroring their popularity among students.

“If you were to look at the number of kids enrolled [in AP classes] when I first started [about 13 years ago], it is a substantially bigger number, with an increase every year” said Chris Oswald, who teaches AP Environmental Science and is the Associated Student Body Leadership director.

In its report released earlier this month, the College Board also specifically acknowledged Eagle Rock High as a standout for its AP science program, in which a significant number of Latino students excelled. Oswald believes that the open door policy of AP classes has been a big factor in Eagle Rock High’s AP examination success.

“The mantra was to try and get kids that maybe otherwise don’t think they are qualified to compete at that level,” said Oswald. “The biggest thing is that it is a self-confidence issue. Once kids realize they are capable, it’s amazing how well they will do. The one thing I love about the AP exam structure is that on that particular day it doesn’t matter where you come from.”

However, Eagle Rock High’s priority isn’t necessarily the exam itself—it’s also creating a strong foundation for students to build upon after they leave high school.  

“It makes for a better kid, a better character, a better quality person,” said Oswald. “We are not only sending a really good kid off to a university but a kid who is going to be successful for life,” said Oswald.

Oswald credits Eagle Rock High’s unique culture to the schools academic success. “The kids here are unlike anyone else,” he said. “It is like a large collective family—I don’t know if you have that atmosphere anywhere else.”

The proof of course is in the pudding: “If the AP exam is the great equalizer, then we seem to kick butt.”