LOS ANGELES, CA (Feb. 24, 2026) — Los Angeles Unified continues to expand access to Advanced Placement (AP) coursework, with more students enrolling in AP classes, taking AP exams, and earning qualifying scores than at any point in recent years. The progress reflects the District’s ongoing commitment to ensuring every student has access to rigorous, college-level learning opportunities.
“In Los Angeles Unified, we believe that when you raise the floor of performance, the ceiling of opportunity expands,” Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said. “Over the past several years, we have expanded access to Advanced Placement courses so that more students have a seat at the table, regardless of their zip code or background. Historically, when participation increases, performance declines. In our case, the opposite happened. More students enrolled, more students took the exams, and more students earned qualifying scores than ever before. That is equity and excellence working together.”
Nearly one in three Los Angeles Unified high school students (29%) is now enrolled in at least one AP course, bringing the District close to its Strategic Plan goal of 30% AP enrollment by 2026. Participation has grown steadily over the past four years, with enrollment increasing across nearly all student groups. AP course enrollment increased 12% since the 2020-21 school year, including a 7% rise from 2023-24 to 2024-25.
“Because of the hard work of the district’s leadership, teachers, counselors, principals, students, and families, LAUSD is redefining who has a seat at the Advanced Placement table,” College Board CEO David Coleman said. “They’re leading the way in showing that AP is not reserved for a small group of elite students, but available to all who demonstrate readiness and seek the challenge. This matters because taking even a single AP course can change a student’s trajectory.”
The expansion of access is paired with increased exam participation. The number of students who both enroll in an AP course and take the corresponding AP exam has risen by 50% since 2020-21. Los Angeles Unified covers the full cost of AP exams for all students, removing a financial barrier and ensuring equitable access to college credit opportunities.
Student performance has also improved. Los Angeles Unified students took 63,046 AP exams in 2024-25, a 52% increase from 2020-21. Over the same period, the number of exams earning a qualifying score of 3 or higher rose 124%, increasing from about 14,000 to more than 31,000 qualifying scores. Growth in participation and performance has been consistent across student groups. Students with Disabilities saw the largest increase, with exam participation rising 135% since 2020-21.
Performance gains were consistent across student groups. From 2020-21 to 2024-25, every subgroup increased the percentage of exams earning a score of 3 or higher by between 8 and 19 percentage points. Five of seven AP subject areas showed gains in the percentage of students earning qualifying scores over the four-year period.
Marking the highest performance in the District, Science Academy STEM Magnet continues to set the standard for academic excellence in AP performance and beyond. In 2022–23, students took 414 AP exams with an impressive 84% earning qualifying scores. By 2024–25, participation surged to 742 exams, and the qualifying rate climbed to 94% — a remarkable 10-point increase, reflecting both expanded access and exceptional performance.
District leaders emphasize that the increases reflect more than improved metrics — they represent expanded opportunity. By broadening access to AP courses and eliminating cost barriers to exams, Los Angeles Unified is ensuring that more students graduate prepared for the academic expectations of college and career.
The District’s continued progress underscores its commitment to equity, access, and high expectations for all students.
Members of the Board of Education Quotes
“Los Angeles Unified continues to demonstrate academic excellence through students who succeed in advanced placement programs,” Board President Scott M. Schmerelson said. “Every single board district and region across LAUSD is represented, and this is important to note so we can also measure equitable access to resources for all of our students. I want to give special congratulations to my Board District 3 school, Cleveland High School, for achieving double-digit increases over the past two years. Congratulations to our students, staff, parents, and the entire LAUSD community. This is a collective achievement, and you continue to show that Los Angeles Unified is a great place to learn.”
“This progress shows that more students than in recent years are preparing for college through Advanced Placement — a reflection of our District’s commitment to equity and to expanding rigorous opportunities in our highest-needs schools,” Board Vice President Dr. Rocio Rivas said. “As Board Vice President, I remain focused on ensuring every student graduates prepared, confident, and ready to thrive.”
"We salute our students who continue to demonstrate greater academic proficiency while pursuing rigorous course work," Board Member Sherlett Hendy Newbill said. "We strive to ensure that our students have access to courses that stretch their boundaries of comfort while building confidence as they achieve their goals.”
“I’m proud that more students than ever are accessing and succeeding in Advanced Placement coursework,” Board Member Nick Melvoin said. “Participation continues to grow, and performance is rising alongside it. We’re seeing meaningful gains across student groups, including students with disabilities. This is equity in action—expanding opportunity and preparing more students for college and career.”
“Our students’ increased interest in Advanced Placement courses reflects more than academic ambition, it also reflects the District’s effort to intentionally remove barriers and expand access to rigorous, college-level coursework for all students, especially those who have been historically underserved,” Board Member Karla Griego said. “This progress signals that when we lead with equity and invest in opportunity, our students rise to meet the moment.”
“Since my election to the Board, I have made college readiness a top priority,” Board Member Kelly Gonez said. “Our growth in the number of students taking, passing, and earning credit in Advanced Placement classes shows that an LAUSD education enables students not just to reach high school graduation, but prepares them for college, career, and life.”
“I’m incredibly proud of how our district has expanded Advanced Placement (AP) participation and performance, outpacing the rest of the state and country,” Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin said. “A special shoutout to my Board District 7 school, Gardena High School — in just two years, AP passage rates increased from 18% to 34%, with more than 450 AP exams taken in the 2024–25 school year. This progress is a reflection of the care and dedication our AP teachers pour into supporting every student and to every student that dares to believe in themselves. Si se puede!”
View today’s press conference highlights or in full.
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