Challenge Index

Top Local High Schools

» Class Struggle | Education reporter Jay Mathews picks the most challenging local high schools of 2006.

No School Left Behind

» Video | Cardozo High School is a national pioneer in introducing AP courses to disadvantaged students.

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Mathews on the Index

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Education Reporters

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An Opposing View

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College Admissions

Lunch Subsidies | Equity & Excellence | Change from 2005 | Nation's Top 100

Anne Arundel

AP and IB Participation Holds Steady

Christen Dressel is a senior at South River High School. She loves her Advanced Placement courses.

Arlington

They're Up for a Challenge

Among the four, the Wakefield has the largest proportion of low-income students -- 54 percent -- and of minorities.

District

D.C. Schools Rank 23rd in Region on Challenge Index

Benjamin Banneker Academic, Bell Multicultural and Woodrow Wilson high schools continue to have strong Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs.

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Anne Arundel

AP and IB Participation Holds Steady

Christen Dressel is a senior at South River High School. She loves her Advanced Placement courses.

Arlington

They're Up for a Challenge

Among the four, the Wakefield has the largest proportion of low-income students -- 54 percent -- and of minorities.

District

D.C. Schools Rank 23rd in Region on Challenge Index

Benjamin Banneker Academic, Bell Multicultural and Woodrow Wilson high schools continue to have strong Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs.

Fairfax County

County Students Pile On AP, IB Courses

Fairfax County students take a heavier load of college-level courses than students in any other large school district in the country.

Howard County

County AP Program Remains Strong

Most Howard County high schools maintained their strong Advanced Placement programs this year.

Loudoun County

AP Program In Loudoun Remains Strong

Loudoun County schools had a 49 percent increase in Advanced Placement tests this year.

Prince William

A Boost in High School Courses at College Level

Kay Barcus has more experience with Advanced Placement, and its alternatives, than most parents in Prince William County.

Southern Maryland

Advanced Courses Expand in Scope

Kim Reeves's daughter took two Advanced Placement English courses at La Plata High School, and they were not easy.