The award-winning voice of North Cobb High School in Kennesaw, Georgia.

The Chant
The award-winning voice of North Cobb High School in Kennesaw, Georgia.

The Chant
The award-winning voice of North Cobb High School in Kennesaw, Georgia.

The Chant
Categories:

NC receives acknowledgment for exceptional AP programs

Mackenzie Blanco, Reporter
March 13, 2024
Mackenzie Blanco
February 28, the Georgia Department of Education announced the 2024 AP Honors school lists, including 16 traditional high schools throughout Cobb County. NC received the honor award because of the rigorous AP courses students currently take and succeed in. Additionally, NC received honors for multiple categories including the AP STEM Achievement honor and the AP Humanities Achievement honor.

Since 2008, the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) has acknowledged schools across the state that have achieved outstanding Advanced Placement (AP) exam scores. To earn the title of an AP Honor school, high schools must show overall growth within their AP programs and successful scores school-wide. Based on the result of NC’s 2023 AP exam scores, state Superintendent Richard Woods recognized NC as a 2024 AP Honor school and a recipient of multiple honor awards. 

“[The AP Honor School award] reflects the diversity of the interest of our students because it applies to all different areas including Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) and humanities. Since we are a big school with a magnet program, we offer more than two dozen AP courses and we can expand them online beyond that. And we can offer so much of the entire AP catalog,” magnet coordinator James Auld said. 

Thanks to the diverse landscape of NC, students achieved the AP Access and Support School honor which means that 30% of students who took an AP exam identified as African American or Hispanic while 30% achieved a score of three or higher. Not only did NC receive recognition for high minority achievements, but NC earned an accolade for reaching the AP STEM School certifications. This showcases that a bare minimum of five students tested in at least four AP STEM courses, with a minimum of 25 exams administered throughout the school. Along with this accomplishment, GaDoe granted NC the AP STEM Achievement honor given that at least 50% of the AP STEM scores reached a three or higher in 2023. 

NC offers a wide variety of STEM courses including, AP Biology, AP Calculus, AP Environmental Science and various others, which adds to the academic competitiveness of students when applying to colleges. Along with these courses, the College Board, which administers the AP exams, allows high school students to explore college-level learning to receive credits before entering college. In most cases, students must earn at least a three on the exam for the course to count as a college credit.

“Many of our students go into college as second semester students or even sophomores and sometimes we have students go in as juniors, which allows them to do their masters and undergrads at the same time. With help from their HOPE scholarship, these AP courses allow students to graduate with a master’s degree with 100% free tuition,” Auld said.

While the GaDOE announced 16 Cobb County schools to win the title as an AP Honor School, NC stands out. NC earned honors in six categories outweighing a myriad of other schools. Nonetheless, faculty and staff continue to influence new generations of students walking the hallways of NC by inspiring excellence and helping great minds showcase their capabilities. 

 
View Story Comments
Print this Story
Tags:
More to Discover
More in News
A month into the E. coli breakout, McDonald’s continues to face the fallout that has harmed and killed over 100 customers. The company strives to terminate the cause swiftly and carefully to bring safe foods back on the menu. Even though the incident caused extreme consequences to their customers, a majority of people seem to ignore the breakout and continue to eat there.
Not once but twice: McDonald’s run-in with E. coli
Every student-athlete awaits that coveted day when they declare, in front of their loved ones and coaches, where they plan to pursue sports after high school. For six of NC’s premiere players, November 13 marked that special day. Across varsity volleyball and lacrosse, love and appreciation for the successful seniors echoed through NC’s Arena and set the stage for future commitments.
The six who signed: NC athletes commit to collegiate sports
November 6, 2024, former President and Republican party candidate Donald Trump officially became the 47th president of the U.S.. Running against current Vice President and Democratic party candidate Kamala Harris, Trump defeated his political rival with a total of 312 electoral votes. Pushing his policies and goals for the future of the U.S., Americans will officially recognize Trump as president Monday, January 20, 2025, at the presidential inauguration.
Donald Trump becomes the 47th president of the U.S.
For years, space engineers and scientists alike have contemplated diverse ways to ensure safe and reliable travel into space. Recently, a certain organization created what they believe will change space travel forever. SpaceX plans to build high-quality rockets to send out of this world, furthering space travel and helping reduce industrial waste on Earth.
SpaceX redefines space travel
As the 2024 presidential election continues to capture America’s — and the world’s — eyes, Georgia’s early voting period provides insight into the country’s state of mind. With over half of state voters casting their ballots before Election Day, the U.S.’s itch to choose a president remains evident. As Election Day draws near and voters wonder about its results, the Peach State’s early voters eagerly brandish their stickers as trophies of political efficacy.
Georgia’s early voting window has closed — what comes next?
Senior National Honors Society (NHS) students hosted the first-ever Trunk or Treat event at NC Friday, October 25. With each NHS group dressed according to a different theme, students decorated their car trunks and engaged in exciting Halloween activities. While family and friends attended throughout the 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. time period in their best costumes, NHS students bonded and served their community.
National Honors Society haunts Trunk or Treat
More in Showcase
Following former President and current President-elect Donald Trump’s win against the Democratic party’s candidate Vice President Kamala Harris, a group of left-leaning women have considered joining forces against the patriarchy with the 4B movement. The feminist movement, which originated in Korea, calls for women to avoid traditional gender roles with four pillars: bihon, bichulsan, biyeonae and bisekseu. Though the movement began before the 2020 pandemic, it has remained relatively unknown until its entry into Western media.
The 4B movement’s fresh feminist force
The notorious Victorian muffin man–and modern NC teachers Cogbill, Dillard and Tener– and despite the separation of time and technology, all demonstrate the role food plays in connecting populations and spreading warmth. Originating from the 19th century, this iconic figure emerged as a street vendor who fed the hungry industrial workers of his age. Today, the figure lives on in NC hallways, supporting student activities such as wrestling and robotics.
Muffin men through the ages: The sweet evolution of community spirit
What started as an agricultural process eventually evolved into an exciting fall activity for families and friends to enjoy. Pumpkins can meet specific entertainment needs and involve different cultural practices. These applications do not always include eating or decoration, but rather a variety of applications, each with its unique purpose.
The gourd and its gourd-geous uses
For NC wrestlers, practice remains the foundation of success that leads teams to higher levels of competition. The coaches of the NC wrestling team watch closely to tend to the students’ skills, helping the athletes improve. The athletes learn to step on the mat and treat anyone across from them as a potential opponent to prepare for the intense tournaments. When athletes hone their skills during their practice and take all the advice coaches direct, they can become champions.
Wrestling practice: The foundation to championship success
In a period of political debates and complications, fact-checking remains polarizing between political parties. Used as a means to clear up misinformation or even disinformation, credible fact checkers provide context for those Americans who lack education on certain topics. Without the ability to certify information, dangerous consequences may occur.
The nose grows: The essential need for fact-checking in the U.S.
November 9, NC’s Warrior Wrestling hosted twelve schools in honor of their annual Warrior Invitational tournament. In the midst of their varsity boys lineup, both seasoned competitors and fresh faces headed onto the mat with one goal in mind — beating their opponents. With their first event under their belts, the Warriors look forward to building upon their established successes throughout the season.
NC Wrestling pins down a fourth-place finish at the Warrior Invitational
About the Contributor
Mackenzie Blanco
Mackenzie Blanco, Copy Editor
Mackenzie Blanco, a magnet junior, continues her time on The Chant as a copy editor for the 2024-2025 school year. Ever since she could remember, Blanco has admired utilizing her writing skills to release her creative thoughts and steadfast opinions. As her second year on The Chant unfolds, Blanco continues to explore her writing style, the realm of editing and ultimately build up her view of the journalism field, which she aspires to pursue in college. Blanco envisions her junior year to be full of new opportunities, friendships and exceptional advancements for The Chant, while also maintaining a proud stance of her other commitments. Outside of the Pub Office, Blanco can be found spinning her equipment as a member of NC’s Color Guard, on walks with her dog, Chico, going on strenuous hikes, baking yummy treats or spending time at church—alongside her favorite people. She is also a co-leader of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and a member of NC’s Bible study club, Collective Hope. Blanco hopes that The Chant will continue to bring her the inspiration to make an impact on the world with her writing.  Find her on Instagram @mackenzie.blanco3.