Hickory City Schools’ students continue to demonstrate strong academic achievement in Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Hickory City Schools’ students completed 398 AP exams, with nearly 75% earning a score of 3 or higher during the 2025–2026 school year.
Students achieved particularly strong results across several AP courses. In six courses, Hickory City Schools’ students exceeded both North Carolina and global averages for the percentage of students earning a score of 3 or higher:
- AP Biology: 91.67%
- AP Calculus BC: 90%
- AP English Literature and Composition: 86.96%
- AP Precalculus: 98.31%
- AP Seminar: 96.43%
- AP Statistics: 84.62%
These courses are taught at Hickory High School, where AP teachers provide students with rigorous, college-level instruction and the support needed to succeed in advanced coursework. Their expertise, high expectations, and commitment to students are reflected in the strong results across multiple AP subject areas.
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Hickory High’s AP offerings also expand advanced learning opportunities across the district. Students enrolled at Hickory Career & Arts Magnet High School (HCAM) may take AP courses at Hickory High School, giving additional students access to the school’s AP instruction and course offerings.
Among the standout results was AP Precalculus, which earned a score of 3 or higher, a 98.31% success rate, compared with 86.2% in North Carolina and 82.4% globally.
Students in AP Seminar also posted exceptional results, earning a 3 or higher for a 96.43% success rate, exceeding both the North Carolina rate of 89.9% and the global rate of 85.9%.
Hickory City Schools’ success extended beyond the percentage of students earning qualifying scores. In each of these six courses, the school’s mean AP exam score also exceeded both North Carolina and global averages.
“These results reflect the hard work of our students and the teachers who challenge, encourage, and support them throughout the year,” said Cyrus Henson, principal of Hickory High School. “We are incredibly proud of our students for embracing rigorous, college-level coursework and demonstrating what they can achieve. Their success is a reflection of the commitment to academic excellence throughout Hickory City Schools.”
Advanced Placement courses provide students with opportunities to experience college-level coursework while still in high school and potentially earn college credit or advanced placement, depending on the policies of individual colleges and universities.
Hickory City Schools congratulates our AP students and Hickory High School AP teachers, as well as the counselors, administrators, families, and staff whose support contributes to students’ continued academic success.
Interested in Hickory High’s AP Academy?
There is still time to enroll. Families interested in learning more about Hickory High School’s AP Academy and the opportunities available to students are encouraged to contact or visit Hickory High School.
