2025 was another impressive year for BASIS Charter Schools students. Advanced Placement (AP) Exam results are in, and our students continue to drive incredible results, outperforming the national average in every category.
In May of 2025, high school students from across the BASIS Charter Schools network took a total of 9860 AP Exams. AP Exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5, with 3 and above considered a passing score.
The average pass rate for our students was 95.2% and the average score earned was 4.18. According to the most recent data, the national average pass rate for AP exams is 72.6%, with an average score of 3.25. That means BASIS students outperform the national average by over 22%!
AP Exams are a reliable way to determine college readiness. By showcasing exemplary results on their AP Exams, our students signal to the world’s top colleges that they are ready to succeed. Combined with high grades in AP classes, strong AP exam scores help prove to college admission officers that a student is laser-focused on academic achievement. In fact, research shows that students who receive high scores on AP Exams typically demonstrate greater college success and higher graduation rates than non-AP students.
Here is how our students performed on their most recent AP Exams by the numbers.
What Was the AP Exam Pass Rate for BASIS Students?
BASIS Charter School students exceeded the national average scores on all AP Exam subject areas, including English/Foreign Language, Math/Science, and Social Sciences.
English/Foreign Language: 93.2% BASIS Charter Schools, 67.7% national average
Math/Science: 93.5% BASIS Charter Schools, 63.8% national average
Social Sciences: 96.7% BASIS Charter Schools, 55.9% national average
Other AP: 93.6% BASIS Charter Schools, 60.2% national average
How Many BASIS Students Earned AP Scholar Awards in 2025?
In 2025, 69.6% of BASIS Charter School students who took an AP Exam earned an AP Scholar award. That’s more than two-thirds of our AP participants! This award, given by the College Board, recognizes students’ exemplary performance on AP Exams.
There are three types of AP Scholar awards:
AP Scholar: Earned by 13.2% of BASIS test takers. Granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams.
AP Scholar with Honor: Earned by 9.4% of BASIS test takers (a nearly 1% increase from 2024). Granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.
AP Scholar With Distinction: Earned by 43.9% of BASIS test takers (a 3% increase from 2024). Granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.
AP Scholar recognition is just another way BASIS students will stand out on college applications.
How BASIS Charter Schools Helps Students Achieve AP Success
One way our schools lead high school students to 100% AP participation is by starting them early. BASIS Charter Schools students begin taking AP courses in grade 9. To meet the requirements for a BASIS Diploma, students must take at least six AP Exams before graduation. However, most of our students choose to take additional AP courses and end up vastly exceeding this number.
100% of BASIS students are accepted to a four-year university. We achieve this through unparalleled college support from experienced College Guidance Coordinators. BASIS high school students work with our College Guidance Coordinators to explore potential colleges, complete applications, arrange campus visits, find scholarship opportunities, and more.
All of our high schools offer AP courses in Math, Science, History and English—along with a variety of AP electives in subject areas such as foreign language, computer science and the arts. AP Exam fees—which are usually $99 per exam—are fully covered by the school.
Learn More About Our College Prep Curriculum
AP courses are an integral part of the BASIS Charter School Curriculum for grades 8–12. Taking AP courses allows students to master core academic content while getting ahead on college credits. We believe that this type of advanced coursework is crucial for preparing students for the rigors of college. To learn more about how BASIS Charter Schools prepares students for success in college and beyond, visit our College Readiness page.
BASIS is the #1 tuition-free public charter school network in the U.S. In 2025, the BASIS Charter Schools network had 11 of the top 100 high schools in the nation per U.S. News & World Report, with BASIS Tucson North claiming the top spot as the #1 High School in the U.S. Find a BASIS Charter School near you and take a school tour to experience BASIS firsthand.
