Besides scoring a 100 percent

in two AP math classes, McIntosh teachers and students have another reason

to be proud of their accomplishment. The 2001-2002 school year marked

the first time in Fayette that sophomores were allowed to take AP statistics.

This change was a direct result of the county's new math textbook adoption.

Pace admits that she was worried at first, concerned that statistics might

be overwhelming to the students due to the amount of work involved.

"Our students really rose

to the occasion and I am so proud of them," said Pace. "I think

this also says so much about our math program in Fayette. Students build

up their math skills from elementary school. Math is presented to them

in a way that makes it interesting and it shows. Our students really like

math, they can't wait to get to the next level."

Pace said it takes both great

students and teachers working together to make this sort of accomplishment

possible. Pace said she credits both the students and her fellow AP teachers

Jan Esterbrook (statistics), Mary Sitler (calculus) and Doug Austin (calculus)

for the class' scores. Passing students can either use their AP classes

toward college credit or exempt classes in order to move into higher-level

college courses depending on the university or college. Pace says she

has known students who have started college at the sophomore level due

to credit received for AP coursework in high school.

Students apply in the spring

to take AP level courses. Students are accepted into the program based

on their Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) score, grade point average and

teacher recommendations.