For the first time, both Joseph A. Foran High School and Jonathan Law High School have been named Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Roll Gold recipients, marking a milestone for Milford Public Schools and its academic programs.
The recognition, announced January 14, highlights the schools’ efforts to expand access to AP courses and prepare students for college-level work before graduation.
“This historic achievement reflects our mission to provide every student with the tools to reach their highest potential,” says Mr. Steve Autieri, assistant superintendent for teaching and learning, in a press release.
“Seeing both high schools earn gold status for the first time is a testament to the hard work of our educators and the incredible ambition of our students, as well as the long-term investment and support from our board of education.”
The AP School Honor Roll evaluates high schools in three areas: college culture, college credit, and college optimization. Schools receive designations ranging from bronze to platinum, with gold recognizing strong overall performance. This year, both Foran and Law earned gold status.
College culture measures how widely AP courses are offered and taken. According to a press release from Milford Public Schools, to qualify for a gold designation, at least 65% of the graduating class must have taken an AP course. Both Foran and Law exceeded that mark, reflecting a growing emphasis on rigorous coursework across the district.
At Foran, 69% of students took at least one AP exam, while 72% of students at Law participated in AP testing.
Another major factor in the rankings is college credit, which looks at how many students earn qualifying scores on AP exams. A score of three or higher is often accepted for college credit, allowing students to save time and money once they reach college. Foran earned a platinum designation in this category, while Law earned gold.
According to the data, 51% of Foran students earned a score of three or higher on at least one exam. At Law, 42% of students met that benchmark.
Both schools also received platinum status in college optimization, a category that recognizes schools where students take multiple AP courses over several years. More than 15% of students at each school took five or more AP exams, including at least one during ninth or tenth grade.
At Foran, 28% of students met this benchmark, compared to 22% at Law.
Dean of Students, Mr. Justin Zywocinski, praised the achievement, emphasizing the collective effort behind the recognition.
“It is quite an honor to hear that students earn AP Honor Roll Gold,” he said. “It is a credit to their hard work as well as the dedication of our teachers to help foster positive learning environments where our students can succeed.”
Zywocinski added that the milestone is especially meaningful because it reflects the ongoing efforts of students currently in the building.
“This year’s recognition is meaningful for our school because it shows the hard work of students, many of whom are still in the building attending classes now,” he said. “I am proud to be a part of a school that values hard work and perseverance as much as we do.”
He also encouraged students to carefully consider their academic choices when exploring AP opportunities.
“For any student considering taking an AP class, I would suggest speaking with your current teachers, school counselor, and parent so you can make the most informed decision about what is best for you,” he said.
Zywocinski hopes the recognition inspires students to aim high. “I hope students take away from this milestone that they can achieve great things with hard work and dedication,” he said.
District leaders said the achievement reflects consistent effort from educators and students, as well as long-term investment in academic opportunities. The milestone underscores Milford Public Schools’ commitment to helping students graduate prepared for college and beyond.
