During Monday evening’s Warsaw Community School Corporation regular board meeting, newly appointed chief accountability officer Dani Barkey presented Advanced Placement and Dual Credit course results for Warsaw Community High School as well as the Warsaw Area Career Center.

Barkey started the presentation by explaining the differences between AP and Dual Credit courses. According to Barkey, AP courses are offered in both the United States and Canada and offer students the ability to take a college level course and then an examination in which they must score a three, four or five (the highest score possible) to receive credit. Currently, the College Board offers 38 courses with 15 courses offered at WCHS and the WACC.

Barkey noted that dual credit courses stem from agreements between high schools and post-secondary education institutions and allow a student to receive credit simultaneously for high school and college. These credits are given as long as a student passes the course. Barkey stated WCS currently offers over 70 total dual credit classes.

Among the top taken tests for 2014 were English language and composition, which reported 84 test takers, as well as English literature and composition, which reported 71 test takers. English courses were followed by U.S. government and politics (56 test takers), U.S. history (53 test takers) and calculus (40 test takers). Less taken courses this past year included studio art courses and biology.

Though 2014 did report a decrease in total AP Students for WCS, Barkey attributed the decline to an increase in dual credit course takers. Last year, a total of 221 students participated in AP courses compared to 275 the year prior. Exams were also slightly lower with 429 AP exams taken in 2014 compared to 458 in 2013.

Though test takers and course takers saw a decline, results saw a boost in 2014 for AP courses. In 2013, a total of 127 students scored a three or higher on an AP test, meaning 127 students scored within range of availability for college credit. This year, a total of 151 students scored a three or higher. Barkey Noted that WCS has far exceeded the state and global AP pass rates with over a 60 percent student pass rate in 2014.

In addition, Barkey noted that a total of 331 seniors earned college credit through dual credit courses, equaling over 63 percent of senior students. Total, 717 WCS students earned college credit in 2014 amounting to 4,144 college credits earned — 2,709 at WACC and 1,435 at WCHS.

In other business, during his first superintendent’s address to the board, Dr. David Hoffert shared news welcomed by many families in the Warsaw community. Hoffert noted that enough interest was again generated this year to allow for a half-day kindergarten class to be offered to 24 students at Washington Elementary. In addition, Hoffert stated that should any other families become interested in the option, a wait list has been set up though it currently is empty.

Hoffert also noted that school is approaching with the first teacher day taking place for Warsaw Schools on Monday, Aug. 11, and the first student day taking place on Tuesday, Aug. 12. Hoffert reminded that online pre-registration is available until this Friday.

Online pre-registration can be completed by logging on to PowerSchool and registering each WCS student. This process must be completed before final registration which will take place on July 30from 1 p.m. to5 p.m., July 31from 8 a.m. through7:30 p.m., and August 1from 9 a.m. to1 p.m. in each school building.

Families that have not pre-registered by July 25 will have to go through the pre-registration process at the building before moving into the final registration lines. Any questions regarding pre-registration can be directed towards the building principal.