The Academic Performance trends below reflect change from 2018–19 (pre-COVID baseline) to 2024–25.
More Students Are Taking AP Exams
The percentage of Upper School students taking at least one AP exam has increased across INDEX schools (+12% in Middle/Upper Schools and +3% in PK-12 schools). Last year, 48% of Upper School students at Middle/Upper Schools and 45% at PK-12 Schools took at least one AP exam.
Why this matters: More students are participating in externally benchmarked advanced coursework, increasing the comparability of academic experiences across schools.
AP Outcomes Are Improving
The percentage of AP scores of 4–5 has increased significantly across both cohorts (+11–14%), reaching 73% in Middle/Upper Schools and 66% in PK-12 Schools.
Why this matters: Schools are becoming more effective at producing strong results within AP frameworks, whether through better preparation, alignment, or student selection.
A’s Are Rising Across All Schools
The percentage of A’s awarded in the Upper School has increased substantially (+11–14%) in both cohorts, reaching 74% of all grades in Middle/Upper Schools and 67% in PK-12 Schools.
Why this matters: As top grades become more common, it becomes harder to differentiate levels of student performance internally, increasing reliance on external measures.
Standardized Testing Remains Stable
ACT and SAT average scores are essentially flat with no statistically significant trend in scores.
Why this matters: Despite improvements in grades and AP outcomes, overall externally benchmarked performance has not meaningfully shifted.
Later Entry Points May Influence Outcomes
Middle/Upper Schools outperform PK-12 Schools on AP results (73% vs. 66% scoring 4–5), show stronger growth in AP participation (+12% vs. +3%), and report higher average ACT and SAT scores (+1.3 ACT; +20–30 SAT points).
Why this matters: Admissions at later entry points, such as middle school, may allow for more accurate assessment of academic potential than early entry at PK or K.