The East Boston-based Excel Academy Charter High School has been recognized for student success in advanced Placement program while broadening participation
East Boston, MA – College Board announced that Excel Academy Charter High School has been named to the 2025 Advanced Placement Program (AP) School Honor Roll, earning Platinum with Access distinction.
The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening participation. Schools can earn this recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness.
The award is granted based on the achievement of the Excel Academy Charter High School Class of 2025: 97% of the Class of 2025 took at least one AP Exam during high school, 69% of them scored a 3 or higher on at least one AP Exam, and 49% took five or more AP Exams over their high school career. This achievement aligns with growth and success across the entire high school; the overall AP exam pass rate in 2025 was 57%, up from 32% in the 2022 school year. Excel Academy Charter High School has received AP School Honor Roll, Platinum Status every year since the award originated in 2023.
“We are incredibly proud of our students and staff for earning Platinum recognition on the AP School Honor Roll, a testament to their relentless dedication and hard work,” said Sarah Stuntz, Head of School at Excel Academy Charter High School. “What makes this achievement truly remarkable is that as our levels of academic achievement grew, broad participation remained steady. This means more of our future first-generation college graduates are gaining the credit and confidence needed to succeed, proving that growth and achievement go hand-in-hand at Excel.”
Excel Academy Middle School students notably made incredible academic progress in Math and English Language Arts (ELA). On the MCAS test, Excel students were first for growth in ELA and fifth for growth in math across the state. This growth distinguished Excel Academy as one of only 13 districts to reach or exceed pre-pandemic achievement levels. Excel Academy was named a School of Recognition for growth and achievement by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
“AP gives students the opportunity to engage with college-level work, earn college credit and placement, and build professional career skills they can use no matter what path they choose after high school,” said Trevor Packer, head of the AP program at the College Board. “Congratulations to this year’s AP School Honor Roll recipients for proving it’s possible to expand participation in these rigorous courses and still drive strong performance.”
Excel Academy is a network of five schools in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, serving 1,850 students in grades 5-12. The majority of our students identify as Latino or Hispanic, and many will be the first in their families to graduate from college. Excel prepares students to succeed in high school and college, apply their learning to solve relevant problems, and engage productively in their communities. Families choose Excel because our students consistently achieve at high levels, outperforming their peers in academic growth and becoming five times more likely to earn a college degree.
