Walnut Valley Unified Named to AP Achievement List

The Walnut Valley Unified School District has announced that it is one of 388 schools nationwide named to the 2011 Advanced Placement Achievement List by the College Board.

According to the College Board, the award is granted to districts that both increase access to AP courses — which aim to provide college-level instruction to high school students — and also maintain or improve the rate of students passing AP exams in those subjects.

"We are very proud of this accomplishment. It reflects values that we embrace," Superintendent Dean Conklin said. "We encourage students to take on academic challenges and the teachers and Diamond Bar and Walnut High are stellar."

According to a press release from the district, participation in AP classes increased from 1,634 to 1,893 districtwide from 2008 to 2010 and the district maintained the percentage of students passing AP Exams with a score of 3 or higher.

“When you connect dedicated, hard-working teachers with students who are willing to stretch, to sign up for a class they know will be challenging, you get a winning combination The classrooms are dynamic environments with a relevant and engaging feeling,” Conklin said.

At the end of March, Diamond Bar High was recognized for exceptional performance on the AP exams by being selected as one of two students in California awarded the 2010 Math and Science Siemens award for Advanced Placement.

A total of 37 districts from California were recognized by the College Board on the 2011 achievement list.

The complete list of schools named to this year's AP Achievement List is available online.