By Shealagh Sullivan, Belmont Voice staff
Massachusetts topped the charts in Advanced Placement (AP) scores in 2025.
Data from the College Board show 35.8% of students who graduated from Massachusetts public high schools in 2025 scored a 3 or higher on an AP exam — the highest in the nation this year. Nearly half of 2025 graduates in Massachusetts took an AP course.
AP test scores can give students the opportunity to get college credit, depending on the institution’s policy. This means that with a high enough score, students can “test out” of introductory courses when they get to college.
According to the College Board, 85% of selective colleges and universities report that experience in AP classes favorably impacts admission decisions.
Belmont High School currently offers 21 AP courses across all academic disciplines. In 2025, 745 Belmont students took at least one AP exam. Of the 1,891 tests taken by Belmont students, about 96% achieved scores of scored above a of 3 or more, according to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. of Secondary and Elementary Education.
Out of those exams, 940 received a 5, the highest possible score.
Belmont High School offers 21 AP courses across all academic disciplines. In 2025, 745 Belmont students took at least one AP exam. Of the total 1,891 tests, 96% received a score of 3 or more. In fact, nearly half of the Belmont tests received a 5, the highest possible score, according to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Nationally, 24.8% of public high school graduates scored a 3 or higher, according to the College Board.
“Congratulations to Massachusetts students, educators and families on this incredible accomplishment,” said Gov. Maura Healey in a press release. “We are so proud that our students are yet again leading the nation in AP scores and breaking all-time records. It’s also great to see more students than ever before taking these exams, which help prepare them for success after graduation. We’re going to keep working every day to build on these accomplishments and make sure every student receives the highest-quality education.”
Here’s how Belmont compared to other nearby school districts in Massachusetts
Belmont
- Tests taken – 1,891
- Scores between 3-5 – 95.9%
Arlington
- Tests taken – 1,635
- Scores between 3-5 – 91.7%
Lexington
- Tests taken – 3,031
- Scores between 3-5 – 94.6%
Brookline
- Tests taken – 1,603
- Scores between 3-5 – 94.1%
Cambridge
- Tests taken – 1,257
- Scores between 3-5 – 85.9%
Newton
- Tests taken – 3,167
- Scores between 3-5 – 90.6%
Watertown
- Tests taken – 351
- Scores between 3-5 – 78.9%
Burlington
- Tests taken – 597
- Scores between 3-5 – 76.9%