Sonora High School has reached a remarkable milestone, recording its highest Advanced Placement (AP) test scores ever and surpassing the state average. This accomplishment is a testament to the dedication and hard work of both students and staff, and a reflection of the school’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence.

Karen Sells, Principal of Sonora High School, credits much of this success to the professional development opportunities for teachers, which have bolstered their understanding of AP curricula and pacing. “We’ve been striving for excellence in academics for a long time, and this showcases their hard work,” Sells shared. “It’s a significant accomplishment for our students to surpass the state average.”

A key factor in this achievement was the decision to allow all English department teachers to attend AP conferences, even those not currently teaching AP classes. "It helps them understand what their students need to know for the AP courses, especially in writing, which is critical across all subjects," Sells explained. Teachers also utilized a dedicated flex period, giving students additional support, and offered Saturday practice tests to help students prepare.

One standout contributor to this year’s success is AP U.S. History teacher Kurt Wolken, whose group-based teaching approach encourages students to collaborate and engage in deeper learning. By connecting time periods and historical events, Wolken helps students build a more cohesive understanding of history, an essential skill for the AP exams. “They learn AP style writing from Day 1,” Wolken said, emphasizing that this approach prepares students not just for AP history exams but for all AP writing.

Wolken also highlighted the value of interdepartmental collaboration, where teachers across subjects such as history and English align their strategies based on College Board AP training. “We need to continue to encourage students to take on AP courses,” Wolken added, noting that while the courses require a significant time commitment, the preparation students receive early on at Sonora High boosts their confidence and readiness for the challenge.

Looking ahead, Sonora High plans to continue its commitment to supporting teachers with AP-specific training and offering new opportunities for students. This year, the school reintroduced AP Calculus and, for the first time, offered AP Environmental Science. “Once the bar is set, our students want to reach that bar,” Sells remarked proudly. “We’re fostering a culture of academic achievement, and I’m confident we’ll keep building on this momentum.”
 

Photo (left): AP U.S. History teacher Kurt Wolken engages students in collaborative learning activities, a key approach that contributed to Sonora High School's highest-ever AP scores. Innovative teaching strategies like these are preparing students for success in advanced coursework and beyond.

Photo (right): AP English teacher Anita Leonard reflects on the collaborative efforts that led to Sonora High School’s record-breaking AP test scores. Through professional development and innovative teaching strategies, Leonard has been instrumental in preparing students for AP-level success and fostering a culture of academic excellence.