The awards just keep on piling up for Stamford’s Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy of Connecticut upper school. Earlier this week, BCHA was named to the 2023 AP School Honor Roll as a Gold member.

“It is truly amazing that our high school continues to win awards and scholastic commendation in virtually every area of our curriculum,” said Rabbi Tzvi Bernstein, head of school. “It is a testament to the stellar quality of our faculty and the learning environment they create, which engages all students to perform their very best.”

BCHA had 69% of seniors who took at least one AP exam during high school, 69% of seniors scoring a three or higher on at least one AP exam, and 13% of seniors who took five or more AP exams. The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools with AP programs that are delivering results and broadening access for students.

Meghana Fernandez, director of College Guidance at the BCHA Upper School, noted that the AP honor means the school’s curriculum and teaching methodology better prepare its students for not only the test but also to be successful in college classes.

“Achieving AP Honor Roll status typically requires sustained effort and success in offering AP courses,” said Fernandez. “We are so thrilled that our sustained efforts have paid off, with 80% of our graduating class this year taking an AP class. In addition, 100% of our graduating class got 4s or 5s on their APs and that gave them college credit. This is a well-deserved acknowledgment of our teachers’ hard work and their positive impact on our students’ academic journeys.”

In addition to Fernandez, who also teaches AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP Environmental Science, AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics, other AP teachers at BCHA include Paul Castle, who teaches AP Computer Science Principles and computer science; Jeon Sung, teaching AP Calculus; Natasha Cohen, teaching AP Pre-Calculus; Laura Tobin, teaching AP English and AP U.S. History; Upper School Principal David Giver, teaching AP U.S. Government; and Zhanna Williams, teaching AP Physics.

Schools can earn the Honor Roll recognition annually based on their ability to increase their school’s college-going culture, provide opportunities for students to earn college credit and maximize college readiness.