CCHS has largest group of AP scholars yet

Coal City High School is celebrating another record-breaking year for Advanced Placement achievement.
In the 2025–2026 school year,  students enrolled in AP courses—administred by the College Entrance Examination Board—completed a total of 341 tests.
“We have the largest number of AP Scholars in Coal City history,” said Jennifer Kenney, the district’s director of curriculum and instruction.
Students have the opportunity to enroll in Advanced Placement [AP] courses — rigorous, college-level classes. A passing exam score of three or higher can earn students valuable college credit, demonstrating to admissions teams that they are motivated and better prepared for college.
AP success not only saves families on college costs, but can also allow students to bypass introductory courses, opening doors to more specialized study, and even pave the way for early graduation. Any student who scores a three or higher receives college credit in the state of Illinois.
Of the 341 AP exams administered in spring 2026, 260 earned scores of three or higher, resulting in a pass rate of 83 percent — yet another record-breaking achievement.
“Once again, our students are performing at high levels, and we are extremely proud of their hard work,” said Kenney. “Our AP teachers have worked hard to prepare them to obtain higher levels in these college prep courses.”
Out of all tests taken, 48 were scored at a five, 113 earned a four and 99 earned a score of three.
To start the new school year, Coal City High School recognized students earning the honor of AP Scholar at its opening day assembly. AP Scholars are recognized in three categories—AP Scholar, AP Scholar with Honor and AP Scholar with Distinction. At 62 students this is the largest number of AP Scholars in school history.
The most prestigious award given is AP Scholar with Distinction which is granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. The average score for Coalers in this category is 3.96.
AP Scholars with Distinction from the class of 2027 includes Body D’Orazio, AJ Kenney, Maxx Kramer, Vana LIberman, Aidan Meister and Logan Natyshok. Achieving the honor from the Class of 2026 were—Jacob Cimino, Rowan Fitzpatrick, Nathan Foster, Carter Gill, Austin Harding, Kamryn Hansen, Noah Houston, Aidan Kenney, Mackenzie Lovell, Lance Perino, Cade Poyner, Liam Seeley, Rhaina Vanek, Sam Vota and Evelyn Wills.
The second level of recognition is AP Scholar with Honor, awarded to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on four or more exams. The average score among this group of honorees was 3.53.
AP Scholars with Honor from the Class of 2027 include Dahiliah Anderson, Alex Carlson, Madelyn Castle, Kellan Forsythe, Kinley Lowe, Avery Murphy, Liz Nadess, Anastasia Papach, Sophie Smith, and Olivia Vota. The following students in the class of 2026 received the AP Scholar with Honor Award too—Kyla Kohler, Lana Larson, Layla Miller, Dane Noffsinger, Jordan Olson, Hunter Pedigo, Nicholas Votta, Olivia Weatherbee, and Winter Wills.
Coal City has 22 students who earned AP Scholar recognition for scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams. The average score achieved by Coalers taking AP tests was 2.98.
Students in the class of 2027 earning AP Scholar recognition include Lilliana Aguirre, Sean Bergin, Keaton Berta, Dominick Chellino, Courtney Elberts, Theo Fritz, Brian Manering, Laynah Pierard, Adia Sarna, and Gabby VanDuyne. From the Class of 2026—Gavin Berger, Adrian Dames, Cambree Davidson Hayden Francisco, Keirsten Gabehart, Colton Lemmons , Devon McVey, Julian Micetich, Martin Ramirez, and Colin Schimandle.
During the opening day assembly, 16 current Coalers were recognized for scoring a five on at least one exam. Those students were Liam Allen, Brody D’Orazio, Cameron Haas, Tess Jeschke, A.J. Kenney, Jaiden Leman, Vanna Lieberman, Aidan Meister, Liz Nadess, Logan Natyshok, Anastasia Papach, Abi Rose, Sophie Smith, Olivia Vota, and Ethan Wences.

AP Courses offered to Coal City students and areas tested during the 2025-2026 school year were—World History, US History, US Government, Spanish, Human Geography, English: Literature and Composition, English Language and Composition, Calculus, Statistics, Physics, Chemistry, Music Theory, 3-D and 2-D Art, and Drawing.