As an award recipient, Minnehaha will receive a $1,000 grant to support science and math education. The Northwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church sponsors the school, which each year educates 1,200 students in kindergarten through high school on three campuses.
Winners are chosen by the College Board, and the awards funded by the Siemens Foundation. The College Board is a non-profit association composed of more than 5,200 schools, colleges, universities, and other educational organizations. It administers the Advanced Placement program as well as the SAT and PSAT/NMSQT tests. The Siemens Foundation is a philanthropic organization operated by Siemens USA, a technology firm.
The College Board’s letter of congratulations to Upper School Principal Nancy Johnson praises the school:
“This award recognizes that your high school is one of those leading the nation in AP participation and performance in math and science disciplines. In a pool of extremely strong applicants from your state, your school’s application exemplifies your exceptional commitment to providing your students opportunities to explore the AP program and your staff’s dedication to ensuring students’ success. We believe high schools like yours represent the best of American education.”
The public announcement of the national award winners appeared in a full-page advertisement in the February 26 issue of USA Today under the headline: “Advanced Placement Today Advances Innovation Tomorrow.”
The school offers math and science AP courses in Calculus I and II, Statistics, Chemistry, Physics with Calculus (mechanics, electricity and magnetism), and Biology as part of a 19-course Advanced Placement program. More than 40 percent of juniors and seniors take one or more of these college-level classes and score at the highest levels.
Last year, 162 Upper School students took 369 Advanced Placement exams. Minnehaha ranks high in individual AP awards as well. From 2002-2006, a total of 226 students won AP awards. During that period, 17 students earned the distinction of National Scholar – a ranking reserved for those who average a score of four on all AP exams and four or higher on eight or more exams.
For more information on the school, visit the Minnehaha Academy website.
