John Paul II Catholic School is proud to announce that we have been named to the College Board Advanced Placement® Program (AP®) School Honor Roll as a Gold designee for the 2024–25 school year. This marks the second consecutive year JPII has earned Gold recognition—and the third year in a row our school has been honored on the AP School Honor Roll. Notably, just two years ago, JPII achieved Platinum designation, a distinction that underscored our academic strength even as our student population has continued to grow. Maintaining this level of excellence during a period of expansion is a remarkable achievement for our entire community.

The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools across the nation that demonstrate a strong commitment to expanding access to AP coursework, supporting students in rigorous academic pursuits, and preparing them for success at the college level and beyond. JPII’s continued recognition reflects years of intentional growth, strategic investment in teacher training, and a school culture that deeply values academic excellence.

“At JPII, we have worked diligently and with purpose to grow our AP availability,” said Principal Heather Rembold. “Our teachers, counselors, administrators, students, and parents should all celebrate this exciting achievement. This recognition is a shared accomplishment—and a testament to the dedication and perseverance of our entire community.”

In May 2025, 133 JPII students—representing 56% of all students in grades 9–12—took at least one AP Exam, completing 281 total exams, with 80% earning a score of 3 or higher. These results far exceed national averages and affirm JPII’s commitment to both broad participation and exceptional performance.

Research shows that students who engage in AP coursework—regardless of whether they ultimately earn college credit—enter postsecondary education with stronger academic skills, increased confidence, and greater likelihood of on-time graduation. At JPII, AP courses span English, math, science, computer science, history, and visual arts. Students also have the opportunity to pursue the prestigious AP Capstone Diploma, anchored in AP Seminar and AP Research, which strengthens college-level writing, inquiry, and presentation skills.

President David Lima praised the dedication of the entire school community.
“This honor reflects the academic rigor that defines John Paul II Catholic School,” President Lima said. “Our students consistently rise to the challenge, our teachers invest deeply in their craft, and our parents support an environment where excellence is expected and encouraged. We are grateful for the commitment of everyone who helped us achieve this remarkable recognition.”

The College Board evaluates schools on multiple criteria, including overall AP participation, the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher, and the number of students completing multiple AP courses across several years. Earning Gold recognition requires schools to excel in all these areas—benchmarks JPII continues to meet and exceed.

As JPII continues to grow its AP and Pre-AP programs, this honor affirms the school’s mission to provide a challenging, future-focused education rooted in faith, scholarship, and leadership.