EOS Commends Illinois for Record-Breaking AP Participation and Performance Rates

Seattle, Washington – March 17, 2025 – Equal Opportunity Schools (EOS) commends Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and our district partners across Illinois for their remarkable strides in expanding access to Early College pathways including Advanced Placement (AP), particularly for underserved students.   

Recent data from the College Board reveals that Illinois’ Class of 2024 has achieved unprecedented levels of AP participation and performance, with a notable 6.7 percentage point increase over the past decade in graduates scoring a 3 or higher on AP exams.  

EOS works closely with 12 Illinois school districts, including Chicago Public Schools, to identify and support students capable of succeeding in advanced coursework. In collaboration with district administrators, school leaders, teachers, and counselors, we ensure that every student is seen, understood, and has the opportunity to realize their full potential.   

“At EOS, we take pride in supporting important advancements in educational access and enrollment, and we remain dedicated to providing all students with the opportunity to participate in challenging academic experiences that empower them for success beyond high school,” said Thomas Kirkley, EOS Partnership Director.

A National Leader in AP Success

We are proud to have contributed to Illinois ranking among the top five states in multiple AP success metrics, including:  

• Third in the nation over the past 10 years for the percentage of graduates scoring a 3 or higher on an AP exam during high school.  

• Fifth in the nation for the percentage of the Class of 2024 scoring a 3 or higher on an AP exam.  

• Fourth in the nation for the percentage of Black/African American graduates taking an AP exam during high school.  

• Fifth in the nation for the percentage of Hispanic/Latino graduates taking an AP exam during high school.  

Launching into Open Access

In partnership with EOS, Chicago’s William Howard Taft High School achieved a 43-percentage point increase in advanced course participation among Black students over the past 4 years.

“We’ve launched into open access for all students to advanced-level classes, which is something that many of us have thought about, talked about, and wanted to do. However, we just didn’t have the data to support it,” said Eric Flores, Assistant Principal at William Howard Taft. “EOS came through with that partnership, providing the data we needed to share with our stakeholders.”

EOS aims to help expand these achievements alongside our district partners by ensuring that all students have access to a high-quality education that prepares them for postsecondary and career success.

“Through our work with CPS and districts across Illinois, we’ve seen firsthand the incredible outcomes when students get access to advanced academic opportunities,” said Sarah Wellman, Senior Director of Partnership Development at EOS. “Together, Illinois schools and EOS are creating systems that more effectively acknowledge, support, and nurture the talent and genius of all students.”  

EOS’ Impact Partners in Illinois

For more information on how to participate or support EOS’s work in Illinois and nationwide, click here or contact partnerwithus@eoschools.org.