West Covina High School – which was named to the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Roll in February – produced 128 AP Scholars in 2018-19, underscoring the school’s college-readiness efforts and commitment to academic excellence.
The list of scholars includes two Class of 2019 WCHS graduates – Narine Setian and Katie Dihn – who were recognized as National AP Scholars for completing eight or more AP exams with a score of 4 or higher and an average score of 4 or better.
West Covina High is the District’s flagship AP school. Its 27 AP courses include music theory, Mandarin, computer science and the AP Capstone program, a two-year diploma program that prepares students for the rigor of college-level dissertations.
AP Capstone begins in junior year with AP Seminar, followed by a senior year of AP Research that concludes with students submitting a thesis. Enthusiasm for the diploma program is growing, with a 30 percent increase of juniors taking AP Seminar in the 2019-20 school year.
Ten West Covina High seniors received Capstone Diplomas in 2019.
“West Covina focuses on the whole student,” West Covina High Principal Dr. Ryan D’Errico said. “Access to AP for all students is our main priority. We are teaching them what college-level academics are like, introducing them to the rigor they will encounter during their post-secondary education.”
D’Errico credits increased access to AP classes, Board of Education support, and school counselors for the higher numbers.
In addition to the two National AP Scholars, 83 West Covina High students were named AP Scholars, 12 were named AP Scholars with Honors and 31 were named AP Scholars with Distinction.
“The importance of West Covina High’s Advanced Placement engagement goes well beyond the numbers; it is the embodiment of the District’s commitment to equity for every student,” West Covina Unified Superintendent Dr. Charles D. Hinman said. “We are ensuring that our students are college- and career-ready through a robust and well-rounded curriculum.”