Coal City High School is celebrating a record-breaking year for Advanced Placement achievement. In the 2024–2025 school year, 216 students enrolled in AP courses took at least one AP exam, completing a total of 372 tests — a 61.74% increase over last year. This marks the highest number of AP exams taken in school history.
Students have the opportunity to enroll in Advanced Placement [AP] courses — rigorous, college-level classes. A passing exam score of 3 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.
Of the 372 AP exams administered in spring 2025, 276 earned scores of 3 or higher, resulting in a pass rate of 74.91% — yet another record-breaking achievement.
Coal City High School Assistant Principal Corey Mikula reports 35 exams received a perfect score of 5—beating a previous school record of 24—an achievement made by 23 students. One student, Jacob Cimino, earned a perfect score in six subject areas.
“Once again, our students are performing at high levels, and we are extremely proud of their hard work,” said Jennifer Kenney, the district’s director of curriculum and instruction.
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 55 students this is the largest number of AP Scholars in school history.
“Thank you to all the teachers and students. You are always striving to become better and it shows,” Mikula said during the Wednesday morning assembly, adding, “keep up the amazing work.”
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 of recognition is 3.91. The College Board is recognizing from the class of 2026—Jacob Cimino, Carter Gill, Austin Harding, Aidan Kenney, Mackenzie Lovell, Liam Seeley and Rhaina Vanek. Honorees from the class of 2025—Anthony Aultz, Corinna Barkley, August Burns, Aylianna Castle, Riley Clements, Mackenzie Croxton, Melody Kinder, Weston Kucera, Deborah Lynch, Mackenzie Messina, Ava Meyer, Mason Natyshok, Trevor Perino, Shaun Polarek, Owen Quarles, and Molly Ramsen.
The second level of recognition is AP Scholar with Honor and this is 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 of these exams. The average score among this group of honorees was 3.45. The following students in the class of 2026 received the AP Scholar with Honor Award—Kamryn Hansen, Dane Noffsinger, Cade Poyner, Colin Schimandle and Sam Vota. And from the class of 2025—Hunter Nettles and Madison Wilson.
Coal City has 25 students who earned AP Scholar recognition. This is granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams. The average score achieved by Coalers taking AP tests was 3.1. Students in the class of 2026 earning AP Scholar recognition—Gavin Berger, Rowan Fitzpatrick, Nathan Foster, Aubrey Grunwald, Noah Houston, Lana Larsen, Devon McVey, Julian Micetich, Layla Miller, Jordan Olson, Hunter Pedigo, Lance Perino, Olivia Sage, Nicolas Votta, and Evelyn Wills. Honorees from the class of 2025—Brandon Baut, Nathan Brodnick, Kyle Cheever, Lilly Feisley, Peyton Gibson, Alyssa Hray, William Johnke, Owen Kent, Mayson Wantroba and Dylan Young.
AP Courses offered to Coal City students in 2024-2025 were World History, US History, US Government, Spanish Language and Culture, Calculus, 2-D Art, Statistics, Chemistry, Human Geography, English Literature, English Language, Computer Science, 3D Art and Drawing Portfolio. Additional courses have been added for this school year including computer science and additional courses are being considered for the 2026-2027 school year.
Mikula also recognized 13 current Coalers who achieved a 5 on at least one AP Exam. Those students were—Xavier Baer, Abigail Rose, AJ Kenney, Aidan Meister, Jacob Cimino, Kamryn Hansen, Austin Harding, Aidan Kenney, Dane Noffsinger, Cade Poyner, Olivia Sage, Liam Seeley and Sam Vota.