23. Innovation in New Hampshire: Creating a Virtual Advanced Placement Rural Collaborative
Presented by: College Board
Room: Pierce
Among New Hampshire’s regions, the North Country, comprised of the northern third of the state, is the most economically challenged. One of the many difficulties facing educators in this and other rural communities is how, with limited resources, they can make AP® courses, which equip students with essential college-level skills, available to more students.
A group of Superintendents and Principals have come together to develop a joint virtual solution to this long-standing issue, with potentially wide-reaching impact. Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, students from six participating high schools will have the opportunity to take synchronous AP courses, taught by a local teacher, through this collaborative.
SAU 20 Superintendent Dave Backler and Hinsdale School District Superintendent David Ryan will share the steps they have taken to create this unique partnership, the components that make this program successful, differences between this and other virtual coursework options, and ways entities can replicate their model.
Resources: Each participant will get access to "Bringing Advanced Placement® to Rural and Small Schools: A Toolkit" which allows this model to be easily customized and replicated.