Advanced Placement

Advanced Placement (AP) is a program created by College Board that offers college-level curricula and examinations to high school students. Depending on the college or university, many post-secondary institutions provide students with credits for AP exams on which students earned a 3, 4, or 5. All of Edison’s AP courses have been audited and approved by College Board. Many of the AP courses at Edison are also linked to Pathways we offer. Students enrolled in AP courses can expect a rigorous academic experience that will provide them with essential skills, such as critical thinking and problem solving, that will prepare them for college and beyond.

AP Teacher Spotlight

Lauren Beal, AP African American Studies teacher at Edison High School, has been hired as a Content Expert Consultant for AP African American Studies.

In addition to this role, she will also serve as the facilitator of the AP African American Studies International Webinar, which will be known as the Sankofa Circle.

The series of webinars will focus on exploring content, curriculum, and pedagogy centered on AP African American Studies, supporting educators nationwide as they deepen their expertise and empower students through this important course.

AP African American Studies is an interdisciplinary course that examines the diversity of African American experiences through direct encounters with rich and varied sources. Students explore key topics that extend from early African kingdoms to the ongoing challenges and achievements of the contemporary moment.

Ms. Beal has been the teacher for AP African American Studies at Edison since 2022-2023, when the high school was selected to conduct a pilot of the course.

“I am really excited to facilitate the AP African American Studies Sankofa Webinar Series. The content and skills covered in this class provide a robust approach to interdisciplinary learning. It is not only exciting to share the pedagogy and curriculum that have proven successful but also invigorating to highlight what has worked at Edison in Southwest Fresno with the world,” said Ms. Beal.

College Board's AP School Honor Roll Gold Award

Congratulations to Edison High School which was named to the 2024 AP School Honor Roll! The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP program delivers results and broadens access for students. Edison earned the Gold AP Honor Roll and the AP Access Award.

Schools can earn the Honor Roll recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing their school’s college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness. The AP School Honor Roll offers four levels of distinction: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

Edison High School had 65% of seniors who took at least one AP Exam during high school, 47% of seniors scoring a three or higher on at least one AP Exam, and 28% of seniors who took five or more AP Exams!

AP Instructional Coordinator, Janina Schulz, says, “We have 1,000 students at Edison taking 25 different AP courses, which is the most students and the most courses at any high school in Fresno Unified. We also achieve the highest scores in the district. Edison’s college-going culture is elevated by our strong AP program. We are proud that our school fosters academic growth and achievement for the best and the brightest students in Fresno.”

College Board’s Advanced Placement® Program (AP®) enables students to pursue college-level studies—with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both—while still in high school. Through AP courses in 38 subjects, each culminating in a challenging exam, students learn to think critically, construct solid arguments, and see many sides of an issue—skills that prepare them for college and beyond. Taking AP courses demonstrates to college admissions officers that students have sought the most challenging curriculum available to them, and research indicates that students who score a 3 or higher on an AP Exam typically experience greater academic success in college and are more likely to earn a college degree than non-AP students.

*2025 Honor Roll is released in January 2026

AP is for All Students!

AP Ambassadors Yosef (Class of 2023) and Brittney (Class of 2024) stand next to their larger than life promotional pop-up banners. Yosef and Brittney now both attend Stanford University.

Bissetti (Class of 2025) stands beside her AP Ambassadors promotional banner. She currently attends UCLA.

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