(9/4) Catoctin High School is one of
three high schools in the county that have
seen the number of advanced placement tests
give more than double over the past four
years.
“We have been on a steady increase,” said
Principal Jack Newkirk. “Our focus is on how
many kids we can give the experience of
college work to in high school.”
With that focus, the number of AP tests given
since 2004 has increased 120 percent. Only
Brunswick High and Linganore High had greater
increases.
However, with more students taking the
tests, scores tend to drop and Catoctin is no
exception. The percentage of students scoring
a 3 or above (the minimum generally needed to
receive college credit) has fallen from 52.3
percent in 2004 to 44.9 percent in 2008. This
is the lowest percentage in the county. Urbana
High had the highest percentage at 73.5
percent.
“Overall, I would like the percentage of 3
or above to be higher, sure, but I feel it’s a
great thing with the growing number of kids
taking the tests,” Newkirk said.
He said 21 percent of the students in the
school took at least one AP test last school
year.
Catoctin offers 10 AP courses. The AP
Government course is in its second year and
the AP World History for 10th graders is in
its third year. Enrollment in this class has
nearly doubled from 33 students to 62 students
since its inception.
The school also has an AP Scholars program
to recognize students who are challenging
themselves by taking more AP courses.
“In our eyes, these are the kids we really
want to challenge because the high school
assessments won’t be difficult for them,”
Newkirk said.
Students who take three tests in their high
school career get a bronze medal. Those who
take four or five tests get a silver medal and
those who take six or more get a gold medal
and their names on a plaque that hangs in the
school. Newkirk said last year the school had
four gold AP scholars and this year, there
should be more than that because a number of
seniors have already taken five tests and need
only take one more to earn the gold.
An Overview of Catoctin High’s AP Results
2004 2005 2006
2007 2008
No. of tests taken 155
217 245
314 341
No. at or above 3 81
88 112
145 153
Source: Frederick County Board of Education
