Education leaders from throughout the Northeast visit Newark to learn how district expanded Advanced Placement access while increasing student achievement
NEWARK, N.J. – Newark Public Schools welcomed 31 members of the College Board’s Northeast Regional Council who wanted to see firsthand how the district has dramatically expanded access to Advanced Placement(AP) coursework, while simultaneously increasing student achievement.
“This is the Northeast Regional Council’s first school visit,” said Lesley Guggenheim, Vice President of the State and District Division of the College Board. “We’ve had student panels come to us, but we’ve never gone into a high school. We chose Newark because Newark is doing some phenomenal work.”
The district’s AP course enrollments have increased by more than 100 percent, rising from 1,433 in 2019-2020 to 2,895 in 2024-2025. The district’s number of AP courses has grown from 21 to 32 since 2021.
Meanwhile, the number of AP exams taken increased from 1,309 in 2021 to 2,760 in 2025 with the district’s passing rate* climbing from 20.6% to 51.1% during the same time period. The passing rate is the percentage of exams in which students earned a 3 or higher.
“Many school systems face a difficult choice between expanding access and maintaining performance,” said Superintendent León. “In Newark, we have demonstrated that students can achieve both when they are provided with opportunity, support, and excellent instruction. We have intentionally opened doors for more students while ensuring they receive the academic foundation necessary to succeed.”
Superintendent León credited the work of Director of Testing Dr. Lydia Alvarez, AP coordinators, school leaders, and teachers for helping increase both participation and performance, particularly among students who have historically been underrepresented in Advanced Placement courses.
“We are seeing increased participation among our young men, especially our Black and Hispanic male students,” Superintendent León said. “More importantly, these students are demonstrating AP potential, and they are mastering the skills and content being taught in our classrooms.”
Guggenheim pointed to Newark’s deliberate approach to AP expansion as a model for other districts.
“What Newark has done has been really intentional,” she said. “Instead of deciding which students should have access to rigorous coursework, Newark said, ‘Let’s give everybody a chance.’ By building students’ confidence and providing a strong academic foundation through courses like AP Seminar, the district has created a pathway that encourages students to take on greater challenges and succeed.”
Students from several Newark Public Schools high schools participated in discussions with Regional Council members, sharing their experiences in AP courses and describing how the program has prepared them for college and future careers.
Students also showcased what they had learned and how they applied the skills and knowledge they acquired through AP classes. Dulse Castillo, who took AP 2D Art and Design at Arts High School, described how she developed a graphic story about a World War II fighter pilot born in the Philippines who fought for the United States. Daniel Bontempo, a ninth-grader who took AP Cybersecurity at the Newark School of Data Science and Information Technology, gave a talk about the risks of using free WIFI services offered at public places. Science Park High School AP Biology students gave a presentation on how soap can lower water’s surface tension, with significant environmental implications.
“We wanted our guests to see the greatness across all of our schools,” León said. “Our students represent the incredible talent, determination, and academic excellence that exists throughout Newark Public Schools.”
“The fact that the College Board’s Northeast Regional Council chose Newark Public Schools for its first-ever visit to a school district speaks volumes about the work taking place in our classrooms every day,” said Newark Board of Education President Hasani K. Council. “Under Superintendent León’s leadership, more students than ever before are enrolling in Advanced Placement courses, and more students than ever before are succeeding in them. This visit is a recognition of our teachers, our school leaders, and most importantly, our students, whose hard work is proving that when given access to rigorous coursework and the support they need to thrive, they can achieve at the highest levels.”
The College Board Northeast Regional Council includes leaders from school districts, colleges, and universities throughout the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions. The group’s visit provided members with an opportunity to observe Newark’s strategies for increasing access to rigorous coursework while maintaining high academic standards.
As the district continues to expand opportunities for students, Newark Public Schools now offers 32 Advanced Placement courses across the high schools, providing students with opportunities to earn college credit, strengthen college applications, and engage in college-level academic work before graduation.