HICKORY, N.C. (WHKY) — Hickory City Schools students posted strong results on Advanced Placement exams during the 2025–2026 school year, with nearly 75 percent of the district’s 398 exams receiving a score of 3 or higher.

Hickory High School Principal Cyrus Henson said the results reflect the hard work of students and the teachers who challenge, encourage and support them throughout the year.

Students exceeded both North Carolina and global success rates in six AP courses. The district reported qualifying-score rates of 91.67 percent in AP Biology, 90 percent in AP Calculus BC, 86.96 percent in AP English Literature and Composition, 98.31 percent in AP Precalculus, 96.43 percent in AP Seminar and 84.62 percent in AP Statistics.

AP Precalculus produced one of the district’s strongest results. Hickory students earned a score of 3 or higher on 98.31 percent of those exams, compared with 86.2 percent across North Carolina and 82.4 percent globally.

Students taking AP Seminar achieved a qualifying-score rate of 96.43 percent, surpassing the North Carolina rate of 89.9 percent and the global rate of 85.9 percent.

Hickory City Schools said the district’s average exam score in each of the six subjects also exceeded state and global averages.

The courses are taught at Hickory High School. Students enrolled at Hickory Career & Arts Magnet High School may also take AP classes there, expanding access to advanced coursework across the district.

Advanced Placement courses allow high school students to complete college-level work and potentially earn college credit or advanced placement, depending on the policies of individual colleges and universities.

Families interested in Hickory High School’s AP Academy may contact the school at 828-322-5860.