Academic leaders at Mobile County Public Schools are pleased to announce an impressive increase in the number of MCPSS students who have been recognized as Advanced Placement (AP) Scholars. The number this year is 369, a 26 percent increase from 293 AP Scholars in 2025.

To be named an AP Scholar, a student must earn a score of 3 or higher on at least three Advanced Placement exams. The College Board’s AP program allows academically prepared students to take rigorous college-level courses, and they can receive credit from most colleges and universities if they earn a score of 3 or higher on an AP exam, which are graded on a 5-point scale.

Of the 369 AP Scholars, 70 were also named AP Scholars with Honor for earning a score of 3 or higher on at least four AP exams, and 93 were also named AP Scholars with Distinction for earning a 3 or higher on at least five AP exams.

As part of its overall mission to prepare all students to be college and career ready, MCPSS offers dozens of Advanced Placement courses, and covers the cost for the AP exams.

Seven MCPSS high schools recorded an increase in AP Scholars. Davidson High led the system with 170, up from 125 in 2025. Baker High School, which is the only southwest Alabama school offering the prestigious AP Capstone Program, came in second with141, up from 134 last year. Alma Bryant, Citronelle, LeFlore Magnet, Mary G. Montgomery and Murphy High Schools also had AP Scholars.

MCPSS leaders noted that the AP Scholars program provides numerous benefits to our students, and is a key component of the district’s mission to graduate students who are fully prepared for college courses and careers.

“The growth in our AP Scholar numbers reflects the district’s dedication to providing more students with access to rigorous academic opportunities,” said Dr. Melody Tucker, Academic Supervisor and District AP Coordinator for the school system. “AP courses not only prepare students for the demands of college-level learning, but they also offer a pathway to earn college credit, build confidence in completing college-level work, and reduce the overall tuition cost for families.” 

Ashley Cauley, a counselor at Davidson High, said the school recorded a 95% diploma rate with 21 International Baccalaureate graduates, all of whom were also AP Scholars. “As the IB coordinator, I encourage students to challenge themselves academically by pursuing the most rigorous courses possible,” she said. “For IB students, they often supplement the IB schedule with AP coursework. At Davidson, we use AP coursework to prepare our underclassmen for the two-year IB Diploma program, so the two programs work well together in ensuring student success.”