Providing Advanced Learning Opportunities for Students of All Abilities

Honored as the 2023 AP Medium District of the Year for its outstanding efforts to broaden access to Advanced Placement®, Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District in New York delivered positive outcomes for students.  

To achieve these results, the district used methods of instruction that allowed a wider range of students to succeed in AP.  

A section of its AP English Language and Composition course is cotaught by special education and general education teachers. Seniors are encouraged to enroll if they haven’t previously taken the course or AP Seminar. Students are encouraged to attend a support period to help them outside the classroom if necessary.  

The AP Capstone™ program, which includes AP Seminar and AP Research, is also cotaught. Pairing English and Social Studies teachers, along with the help of media specialists, has reduced the teacher-to-student ratio to 1:12. Students benefit from having more individualized support from their teachers, and their chances of success increase.

The impact of the district’s effort can be seen in the data: 70% of students graduating from Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District have taken at least one AP course. 

We’re committed to access and participation in education and ensuring that a diverse range of students can benefit from and succeed in challenging academic programs. We really believe in the research that college and career access is improved when students are involved in high-level work, and the AP curriculum is as good as it gets.

─Scott Bersin, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Bellmore-Merrick CHSD, NY

Watch this video and read this blog post to learn more about how Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District expanded access to AP.