Newton County Schools High Schools Earn Multiple 2026 AP Honor School Recognitions
Newton County Schools is proud to announce that all three district high schools have been recognized as 2026 Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Schools by the Georgia Department of Education, earning distinctions across multiple categories for excellence in advanced academic opportunities and student achievement.
The AP Honor School recognitions are based on the results of 2025 AP courses and exams and highlight schools that demonstrate outstanding commitment to expanding access to rigorous coursework while supporting student success.
“Georgia's 2026 AP Honor Schools reflect our continued commitment to providing students with rigorous, high-quality learning opportunities that prepare them for life beyond high school,” said State School Superintendent Richard Woods. “These schools demonstrate a strong dedication to academic excellence by challenging students and supporting them as they rise to meet high expectations. By expanding access to advanced coursework, they are helping ensure more Georgia students have the opportunity to graduate prepared for college, careers, and a successful future.”
All three Newton County Schools high schools — Alcovy High School, Eastside High School, and Newton High School — earned designation as both AP Access & Support Schools and AP STEM Schools.
The AP Access & Support School designation recognizes schools where at least 30% of AP exams were taken by African American and/or Hispanic students and at least 30% of those exams earned scores of 3 or higher. The AP STEM School designation recognizes schools with strong participation in Advanced Placement science, technology, engineering, and mathematics coursework and exams.
In addition to those recognitions, Eastside High School earned four additional AP Honor School distinctions:
- AP Humanities School – Recognizing schools with strong participation across AP English, social studies, fine arts, and world language courses.
- AP Humanities Achievement School – Recognizing AP Humanities schools where at least 50% of AP Humanities exams earned scores of 3 or higher.
- AP School of Distinction – Recognizing schools where at least 20% of the student population took AP exams and at least 50% of all AP exams earned scores of 3 or higher.
- AP STEM Achievement School – Recognizing AP STEM schools where at least 50% of AP STEM exams earned scores of 3 or higher.
“These recognitions reflect the hard work of our students, teachers, counselors, and school leaders who continue to prioritize academic excellence and create opportunities for students to challenge themselves through advanced coursework,” said Dr. Ashante Everett, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning for Newton County Schools. “We are especially proud to see our schools recognized not only for achievement, but also for expanding access and support for all students participating in AP programs.”
Advanced Placement courses provide students with the opportunity to engage in college-level learning while still in high school. Students who earn qualifying scores on AP exams may also receive college credit, helping them gain a head start on their postsecondary education.
Superintendent Dr. Duke Bradley, III said the recognitions reflect the district’s continued focus on preparing students for success beyond graduation.
“We want every student in Newton County Schools to have access to rigorous learning experiences that open doors for their future,” said Dr. Bradley. “These AP Honor School recognitions demonstrate the incredible work happening in our high schools each day and reflect our commitment to academic excellence, high expectations, and expanding opportunities for students to excel in college, careers, and life.”
The Georgia Department of Education began recognizing AP Honor Schools in 2008. Georgia students continue to outperform most Southern states in AP success and rank above the national average for the percentage of students passing AP exams, according to data released earlier this year by the College Board.