High schools named to 2026 AP Honors list

The Georgia Department of Education released the AP (Advanced Placement) Honor Schools for 2026 with all five of Fayette’s high schools earning recognition.

The 2026 AP Honor Schools are named in eight categories based on the results of 2025 AP courses and exams.

The 2026 list marks the second-straight year that all 5 county high schools earned the School of Distinction designation. Schools of Distinction have at least 20% of the total student population taking AP exams and at least 50% of all AP exams earning scores of 3 or higher.

All 5 schools are also listed as AP STEM Schools and AP STEM Achievement Schools, meaning they have a minimum of five students testing in at least four AP STEM courses and at least 50% of all AP STEM exams earn scores of 3 or higher.

McIntosh, Sandy Creek, Starr’s Mill, and Whitewater are both AP Humanities and AP Humanities Achievement Schools, with Humanities Schools at a minimum of five students testing in each of the AP categories and Achievement Schools seeing at least 50% of all AP Humanities exams earning scores of 3 or higher.

Fayette County, Sandy Creek, and Whitewater are AP Access and Support Schools with at least 30% of AP exams taken by students who identified themselves as African-American and/or Hispanic and 30% of all AP exams earning scores of 3 or higher.

Sandy Creek is an AP Expansion School with 25% growth in AP student participation from May 2024 to May 2025 and a minimum of 25 students testing.

State School Superintendent Richard Woods named 316 AP Honor Schools from 110 school districts for 2026.

“Georgia’s 2026 AP Honor Schools reflect our continued commitment to providing students with rigorous, high‑quality learning opportunities that prepare them for life beyond high school,” Superintendent Woods said. “These schools demonstrate a strong dedication to academic excellence by challenging students and supporting them as they rise to meet high expectations. By expanding access to advanced coursework, they are helping ensure more Georgia students have the opportunity to graduate prepared for college, careers, and a successful future.”