Coal City High School sets records in Advanced Placement participation and performance

Coal City High School reported a record number of students taking Advanced Placement (AP) exams during the 2024–2025 school year. A total of 216 students enrolled in AP courses took at least one AP exam, with 372 exams completed—a 61.74% increase from the previous year and the highest in the school's history.

Advanced Placement courses are college-level classes that can help students earn college credit if they score 3 or higher on their exams. These credits can reduce college costs, allow students to skip introductory courses, and may even lead to early graduation.

Of the 372 AP exams taken in spring 2025, students achieved passing scores of 3 or higher on 276 tests, resulting in a pass rate of nearly 75%. This is another record for Coal City High School. Assistant Principal Corey Mikula noted that there were also 35 perfect scores of 5 across all AP exams, surpassing last year's record of 24 perfect scores. Twenty-three students earned these top marks, including Jacob Cimino who scored a perfect 5 in six different subject areas.

“Once again, our students are performing at high levels, and we are extremely proud of their hard work,” said Jennifer Kenney, director of curriculum and instruction for the district.

At an assembly marking the start of the new school year, Coal City High School recognized its largest group yet—55 students—as AP Scholars. The awards are divided into three categories: AP Scholar, AP Scholar with Honor, and AP Scholar with Distinction.

“Thank you to all the teachers and students. You are always striving to become better and it shows,” Mikula told those gathered at Wednesday’s assembly. He added: “keep up the amazing work.”

The most prestigious award is AP Scholar with Distinction. It goes to students who average at least a score of 3.5 on all their exams and have scores of at least a 3 on five or more tests; this year’s average was 3.91 among recipients. Students recognized from the class of 2026 included Jacob Cimino, Carter Gill, Austin Harding, Aidan Kenney, Mackenzie Lovell, Liam Seeley and Rhaina Vanek; honorees from the class of 2025 were Anthony Aultz, Corinna Barkley, August Burns, Aylianna Castle, Riley Clements, Mackenzie Croxton, Melody Kinder, Weston Kucera, Deborah Lynch, Mackenzie Messina, Ava Meyer, Mason Natyshok, Trevor Perino, Shaun Polarek, Owen Quarles and Molly Ramsen.

The next category is AP Scholar with Honor for those averaging at least a score of 3.25 on all tests taken plus scores of at least a three on four or more tests; this group had an average score of 3.45. Class of 2026 honorees were Kamryn Hansen, Dane Noffsinger,Cade Poyner ,Colin Schimandle ,and Sam Vota . From class of 2025 : Hunter Nettles ,and Madison Wilson .

Twenty-five Coalers received recognition as AP Scholars by earning scores of three or higher on three or more exams—their average test score was 3.1 . Students from class of 2026 included Gavin Berger ,Rowan Fitzpatrick ,Nathan Foster ,Aubrey Grunwald ,Noah Houston ,Lana Larsen ,Devon McVey ,Julian Micetich ,Layla Miller ,Jordan Olson ,Hunter Pedigo ,Lance Perino ,Olivia Sage,Nicolas Votta,and Evelyn Wills . Honorees from class of 2025 : Brandon Baut,Nathan Brodnick,Kyle Cheever,Lilly Feisley,Peyton Gibson,Alyssa Hray,

William Johnke,Owen Kent,Mayson Wantroba,and Dylan Young .

During this academic year Coal City High School offered various AP courses including World History,U.S.History,U.S.Government,

Spanish Language & Culture,

Calculus,

2-D Art,

Statistics,

Chemistry,

Human Geography,

English Literature,

English Language,

Computer Science,

3D Art,and Drawing Portfolio.

Additional computer science courses have been introduced for this school year while further options are under consideration for future years.

Mikula also recognized thirteen current students who achieved a perfect score on at least one exam: Xavier Baer ,

Abigail Rose ,

AJ Kenney ,

Aidan Meister ,

Jacob Cimino ,

Kamryn Hansen ,

Austin Harding ,

Aidan Kenney ,

Dane Noffsinger ,

Cade Poyner ,

Olivia Sage ,

Liam Seeley,and Sam Vota .

Coal City Community Unit School District 1 includes schools across Grundy and Will counties such as Coal City Early Childhood Center and Coal City Elementary through High School (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). According to state data published by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), Coal City Community Unit School District employs over one hundred fifty teachers whose salaries average $69k annually; most teachers are women (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The student body is mostly White but also includes Hispanic as well as small percentages identifying as Black or Asian (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). In fiscal year twenty-twenty,the district spent over $21k per student for a total budget exceeding $47 million (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).