The Success Academy at Harlem West Middle Charter School really lived up to its name when every single eighth-grader passed the “Advanced Placement” world history exam, which is typically taken only by high-performance high school students.
Of the 47 eighth graders at the school, 89% even scored at a higher level 4 or 5, while the remaining 11% got a passing grade of 3. “I am really proud of the kids. It’s an incredible accomplishment,” said the Success Academy teacher, Luke Mitchell, whose students excelled on the exam that’s typically taken in 10th grade. 77% of those students came from low-income families, with 70% black and 28% Hispanic.
Hunter Tittle, 14, who will be moving on to Success Academy High School in the Bronx next fall, aced the College Board’s world history exam. “Scoring a 5 on the AP World Exam as an 8th grader was one of the biggest achievements of my life. As I grow up, I’ll know that I have the skills and ability to succeed in whatever I may attempt.” Tittle said in a statement to The Post.
The AP World History exam, covering the years 1200 to the present, includes 55 multiple-choice questions, three short-essay responses, and two longer essays. Written answers account for 60% of the grade and require deep knowledge of the content and critical thinking.
There are 59 Success Academy charter schools and they expect all students to take 18 to 20 Advanced Placement exams before they graduate; these include 100% of them taking AP Calculus, AP Biology, AP Macroeconomics, AP Literature, AP US History, and AP Art History.
In May this year, more than 3000 SA students took over 8,000 AP tests, so many that they had to send the tests to be administered at the Javits Center. 95% of its high school Class of 2026 passed three or more exams, and 79% passed five or more, and 60% earned passing scores on seven or more. Most of these come from children of color.
“We believe so deeply in children and we are profoundly committed to adult excellence.” said Eva Moskowits, who is the founder and CEO of Success Academy.
