Four EPS High Schools Make 2025 AP School Honor Roll

ELIZABETH, NJ - Four high schools of Elizabeth Public Schools were recognized by the College Board as members of the College Board 2025 AP School Honor Roll. Elizabeth High School – Frank J. Cicarell Academy (EHS – FJC), Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy, and John E. Dwyer Technology Academy once again earned the distinction, while Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson (JVJ) STEM Academy join this list of distinguished schools for the first time.The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools at Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum tiers of distinction. Schools must be located within the United States (including U.S. territories) or Canada and meet or exceed the criteria of three data metrics (college culture, college credit, and college optimization) in any of the respective tiers to qualify for the AP School Honor Roll.“AP represents an opportunity for students to stand out to colleges, earn college credit and placement, and potentially boost their grade point averages,” said Trevor Packer, head of the AP program. “The schools have shown that they can expand access to these college-level courses and still drive high performance – they represent the best of our AP program. EHS – FJC earned the Platinum tier by reaching Platinum in all three criteria, including expanding its college culture by enabling more than 80% of its Class of 2025 (100%) to experience one AP course before graduating, assisting with college affordability by enabling more than 50% of its Class of 2025 (71%) to earn college credit by earning an AP Exam score of three or higher, and optimizing students’ college readiness by creating opportunities for 15% or greater of its Class of 2025 (60%) to take a total of five AP courses across their high school years, with at least one taken in ninth or tenth grade.Hamilton Preparatory Academy also earned the Platinum tier by reaching 82% in college culture, 52% in college credit, and 19% in college optimization. They earned platinum in 2025 after reaching the bronze tier last year by leveling up to platinum in both college credit, for which they earned gold by reaching 48% in 2024, and college optimization, for which they earned bronze by reaching 2% in 2024.Dwyer Technology Academy earned Bronze tier again in 2025, despite leveling up to platinum in college culture (86%) and gold (38%) in college credit after earning gold and silver, respectively, in 2024. The school earned bronze in college optimization again in 2025 by matching its total of 3% of students taking a total of five AP courses across their high school years, with at least one taken in ninth or tenth grade.JVJ STEM Academy, which opened its doors in 2021, made its initial appearance in the AP School Honor Roll at the bronze tier by reaching the gold tier in college culture (75%), the bronze tier in college credit (27%), and the platinum tier in college optimization (19%).“With Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary STEM Academy joining the AP Honor Roll this year, half of our high schools have now been recognized for their exceptional work in establishing and maintaining a college-going culture.” said Elizabeth Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Olga Hugelmeyer. “This recognition of our schools is reflective of our efforts to achieve the goals of college preparation and career readiness for every child, and we will continue to provide a rigorous curriculum so that our students leave our schools on a pathway to lifelong success.”