(Santa Fe, NM)— The New Mexico Public Education Department proudly announces the 2004 New Mexico AP Scholars. This year New Mexico had 660 total awards which represents a 60% increase over the total number of AP Scholars from last year. New Mexico’s 14 National AP Scholars represents nearly three times the number of National AP Scholars from last year.

Secretary of Education Dr. Veronica C. García said, “I commend our AP Scholars for their hard work. The dramatic increase in students taking AP courses and passing AP exams illustrates that students can achieve more when we increase the rigor of their classes…We must continue to increase the rigor of the coursework for all students in New Mexico. I salute this year’s AP scholars for their willingness to stretch themselves and take harder courses. Bravo!”

High School students can earn credit and/or placement at most colleges and universities throughout the United States, as well as colleges and universities in more then 30 other countries through qualifying AP Exam grades. With 34 courses and exams across 19 subject areas AP offers a broad cross-section of courses that students can take to get a head start on college-level work. There are several different categories of AP Scholarship which are defined as follows:

• AP Scholar
Granted to students who receive grades of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams
• AP Scholar with Honor
Granted to students who receive an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams
• AP Scholar with Distinction
Granted to students who receive an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams
• AP State Scholar
Granted to the one male and one female student in each US state and the District of Columbia with grades of 3 or higher on the greatest number of AP Exams and then the highest average grade (at least 3.5) on all AP Exams taken.

• National AP Scholar
Granted to students in the United States who receive an average grade of at least 4 on all AP Exams taken and grades of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams

For a listing of the names of all National AP Scholars visit www.ped.state.nm.us For more information on the AP program contact Rose Marie Sherman at (505)827-6625.