TIFTON, GA — Tift County High School has been recognized by the Georgia Department of Education as a 2026 Advanced Placement (AP) Honor School in four categories, highlighting the school’s commitment to academic excellence and expanding access to rigorous coursework for students.
On Friday, State School Superintendent Richard Woods announced that 316 AP Honor Schools from 110 school districts across Georgia earned recognition for 2026 based on the results of 2025 AP courses and exams.
“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.”
Tift County High School was recognized in the following categories:
AP Access and Support School – Schools with at least 30% of AP exams taken by students who identified as African American and/or Hispanic, with at least 30% of all AP exams earning scores of 3 or higher.
AP Expansion School – Schools with at least 25% growth in AP student participation from May 2023 to May 2024.
AP STEM School – Schools with a minimum of five students testing in at least four AP STEM courses and at least 25 AP STEM exams administered.
AP STEM Achievement School – AP STEM schools with at least 50% of AP STEM exams earning scores of 3 or higher.
Advanced Placement courses, administered through the College Board, provide students with access to college-level coursework while still in high school. Students who earn qualifying scores on AP exams may receive college credit at participating colleges and universities.
Georgia continues to rank among the top states nationally for AP success. According to data released earlier this year by the College Board, Georgia exceeds the national average for the percentage of students passing AP exams and outperforms most Southern states in AP achievement.
Jennifer Johnson, principal of Tift County High School, said “the recognition reflects the dedication of students, teachers, counselors, administrators, and families across the school community”.
“We are proud of the opportunities our students have to engage in challenging coursework that prepares them for success after graduation,” Johnson said. “Being recognized in multiple AP categories demonstrates our commitment to expanding access while maintaining high levels of achievement. Congratulations to our students and staff for this outstanding accomplishment and for their continued commitment to academic excellence.”
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