Newly released data from the College Board revealed that Louisiana high school students have made impressive academic gains through the Advanced Placement (AP) program. The latest report showed that the percentage of AP exams earning college credit-eligible scores increased by 24.5 percentage points since 2021, signaling nearly two-thirds growth in just four years. As per this news release from the Louisiana Department of Education, this steady upward trajectory highlights the state’s commitment to expanding rigorous learning opportunities for its students’ college readiness.

Between 2024 and 2025 alone, the percentage of qualifying AP exam scores grew by 11.2%, demonstrating the state’s ongoing momentum in advanced coursework for college readiness. AP courses are designed to challenge high school students through college-level curricula, giving them a chance to earn college credit before graduation. To qualify, students must earn a score of 3 or higher on their respective exams, which can translate into transferable credits at universities across the country, including Louisiana State University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and Nicholls State University.

State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley praised the remarkable growth, emphasizing that Louisiana’s students continue to demonstrate their competitiveness on a national scale. He explained that the state’s broader efforts to “reimagine the high school experience” are directly tied to expanding postsecondary credit options, ensuring students graduate with the academic and technical skills needed for college, career, or military service. His statement underscores how AP programs have become a central pillar in preparing Louisiana’s youth for success beyond high school.

The results, released by the College Board, show consistent growth across nearly every AP metric since 2021. In 2025, 62.7% of AP exams taken by Louisiana students earned qualifying scores, compared to 51.5% in 2024 and just 38.2% in 2021. This steady climb reflects both improved instruction and expanding access to advanced coursework throughout the state.

In 2025, 12,459 Louisiana students earned at least one qualifying score of 3 or higher, a dramatic jump from 7,100 students in 2021—representing a 77% increase in only four years. Notably, the total number of qualifying scores reached 19,655 in 2025, up 20% from 2024’s total of 16,383. This upward trend demonstrates that not only are more students participating, but they are also performing at higher levels.

According to the Louisiana Department of Education, the number of AP exams taken statewide also increased over time. Students sat for 31,342 exams in 2025, compared to 28,443 in 2021, showing that even as participation slightly dipped from 2024’s 31,805 exams, the number of qualifying scores continued to rise. This means that Louisiana students are not just taking more tests—they’re demonstrating deeper mastery of AP content areas like calculus,English literature, and biology.

Louisiana’s upward trajectory in Advanced Placement success also reflects a broader national movement toward increasing access to college-level coursework in high school. Programs like AP allow students to save on tuition, graduate faster, and build academic confidence before entering postsecondary education. Across the state, educators have been expanding access to AP courses, offering training and professional development to teachers through partnerships with institutions like the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance and Board of Regents.

By supporting both students and teachers, these initiatives aim to make AP participation more equitable—ensuring that students from rural and urban areas alike can benefit. The Louisiana Department of Education noted that more detailed reports, including school and district-level data, will be released later this year, offering a closer look at where growth has been strongest and where additional support may still be needed.

In Louisiana, the steady expansion of AP access demonstrates the power of state-level investment in academic rigor and college readiness. Each year, more students are discovering that success in AP courses is not just about earning college credit—it’s about building the confidence and skill set necessary to thrive in higher education and beyond. As Dr. Brumley highlighted, these results prove that Louisiana students are rising to meet national standards and redefining what it means to be “college and career ready.”

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