Three Years of AP Platinum: How The Village School of Naples Builds Rigor with Relationship

For the third consecutive year, The Village School of Naples has earned AP Platinum Honor Roll recognition, the highest distinction awarded through the College Board’s AP School Honor Roll. While the designation itself is significant, what matters most is what it represents: a culture of challenge, support, and academic confidence that prepares students not just for college admission, but for college success.

“We are thrilled to receive AP Platinum status from the College Board for the third consecutive year. This recognition places The Village School of Naples in the top 6% of upper schools in the country and is due to the amazing work of our dedicated teachers and staff, as well as our talented and hardworking students who put in the effort to prepare for and achieve exceptional pass rates on their AP exams.”
— Dr. Dennis Chapman, Head of School

 

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What AP Platinum Recognition Means

AP Platinum is awarded to schools that demonstrate both broad access to Advanced Placement coursework and strong student outcomes. To earn this distinction, a school must meet rigorous benchmarks across three areas:

• College Culture: At least 80% of graduating seniors take one or more AP exams.
• College Credit: At least 50% of seniors earn a score of 3 or higher on an AP exam, qualifying for college credit.
• College Optimization: At least 15% of seniors complete five or more AP exams, including at least one taken in 9th or 10th grade.

Together, these measures reflect a school where advanced academics are accessible, encouraged, and successfully supported.

 

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Strong Outcomes in a Small-School Environment

At The Village School of Naples, AP success is not driven by size—it is driven by intention.

In the 2024–2025 academic year:

• 79% of seniors took at least one AP exam.
• 79% of seniors earned a score of 3 or higher, significantly exceeding the national benchmark for college credit.

In a small graduating class, each student represents a meaningful percentage. These results reflect not just participation, but consistent achievement across the cohort.

“Our goal is to build a culture where students are both challenged and truly supported. Through our AP Platinum program, we ask students to step outside their comfort zones—while making sure they are known, nurtured, and loved as individuals every step of the way.”
— Erin Kolakowski, Upper School Head

 

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A Schoolwide Commitment to Academic Rigor

AP participation at The Village School extends well beyond the senior class. Across grades 9–12:

• Nearly 80% of Upper School students participated in at least one AP exam.
• Students completed a total of 224 AP exams, averaging more than two AP exams per student.

This level of engagement highlights a program designed to grow with students—encouraging exploration of advanced coursework while supporting sustained academic challenge over time.

“We know that growth isn’t always easy, and moments of challenge are part of the process, but our faculty is committed to ensuring no student ever faces those moments alone. Student well-being is at the center of everything we do, so rigor feels empowering rather than overwhelming. At the end of the day, we always come back to one simple question: What is in the best interest of our kids?”
— Erin Kolakowski, Upper School Head

 

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Performance That Exceeds National Averages

Access alone is not the goal. Success matters.

According to the 2025 Scholar’s Report, students in grades 10–12 earned an average AP score of 3.63, well above the global AP average. This performance indicates that students are not only enrolling in rigorous courses but mastering college-level material.

 

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The AP Capstone Distinction — Far Exceeding the National Average

One of the most powerful indicators of academic depth at The Village School of Naples is student achievement in the AP Capstone Diploma program, one of the most rigorous pathways offered by the College Board.

Nationally, AP Capstone completion remains relatively rare. During the 2024–25 academic year, approximately 27,650 students worldwide earned the AP Capstone Diploma—representing about 17% of the more than 160,000 studentsacross 3,500+ schools who participated in the AP Capstone program.

At The Village School of Naples, the results tell a markedly different story:

• 41% of the Class of 2025 graduated having earned the AP Capstone Diploma

This means Village School students earned the Capstone Diploma at more than double the national average.

The AP Capstone Diploma requires students to earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research, and four additional AP exams—a demanding sequence that emphasizes research, analytical writing, critical thinking, and public presentation. While many students nationwide complete only the Seminar and Research Certificate, nearly half of Village School graduates went further, completing the full Capstone Diploma.

These outcomes reflect a program that not only encourages ambition but also provides the sustained academic guidance and instructional support students need to succeed at the highest level.

 

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More Than a Recognition

Earning AP Platinum recognition for the third year in a row affirms what families and educators at The Village School already know: when students are not only known, nurtured, and loved, but also supported, and challenged, they rise to the occasion.

This achievement reflects a community-wide commitment—from teachers who guide and mentor, to counselors who help students chart thoughtful academic paths, to students willing to stretch themselves in meaningful ways.

As The Village School of Naples continues to grow, the AP Platinum designation serves as both a milestone and a motivation—to keep expanding opportunity, strengthening outcomes, and preparing students for success beyond graduation.

 

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Interested in learning more about our Upper School academics or college preparation program? www.tvsnaples.org/academics/upper-school/ap-program