Where does AHS place in the competition among Virginia High Schools? “The Challenge Index,” created by The Washington Post, measures the efforts of public high schools to challenge students.

The rank is created by dividing the number of Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate or other college-level tests the schools gave in 2009 by the number of graduating seniors; all students are accounted for in this rating system.

In essence the index measures how accessible college level classes are for students in their high schools.

In the past few years AHS has fluctuated in its ratings. In 2008 AHS was 105 out of 166 area high schools, in 2010 it ranked 122 out of 172. This year AHS was number 101 out of 178.

As of 2010 there were 1,623 students enrolled in IB and AP courses. While a majority of the students take IB courses, a small group of students go on to pursue the IB diploma, which requires a student to take all 7 IB classes.

The accessibility of IB courses in AHS is fairly high as of 2010 there were 1,623 students enrolled in IB and AP courses. While a majority of the students take IB courses a small group of students go on to pursuing the IB diploma which requires a student to take all 7 IB classes.

For some schools, in order to achieve higher rates they only allow the students who will guarantee high scores to take the courses.

The reasons for why AP, IB and college level assessments are accounted for are because the courses allow the student to experience a college level work load.

Studies have shown that success in college is not determined by high school grades or test scores, but rather the rigor of the academic experience is the determining factor.

“At AHS we encourage and embrace everyone to take advanced classes. Whereas other schools do a designer selection and leave a large population out,” and “ We embrace every student and his or her ability to achieve their true potential,” Campbell said.