North Buncombe High Earns Spot on 2026 AP School Honor Roll

The Blackhawk statue standing outside North Buncombe High School in Weaverville marks the entrance to a school that just earned a notable academic distinction: the College Board named North Buncombe to its 2026 AP School Honor Roll, a recognition tied directly to what the Class of 2025 accomplished in college-level coursework.

The designation, announced by Buncombe County Schools on March 23, recognizes schools that both expand access to Advanced Placement courses and ensure students perform well enough to earn potential college credit. Placement on the honor roll is calculated from the previous year's graduating class, making the Class of 2025 the cohort whose performance carried the Weaverville school onto the list.

The College Board evaluates schools on three measures. College Culture tracks whether 40% or more of the graduating class took at least one AP Exam during high school. College Credit measures whether 25% or more scored a 3 or higher on at least one exam, the threshold at which many colleges begin awarding credit. College Optimization examines whether 2% or more of graduates took five or more AP Exams, with at least one sitting in 9th or 10th grade, ensuring students spread their AP experience across high school years rather than concentrating exams in the final stretch.

"Being named to the AP Honor Roll is a tremendous accomplishment for our school community," said Principal Kevin Yontz. "It speaks to the commitment our students have to challenging themselves, the passion our teachers bring to the classroom each day and the strong support from our families. This recognition isn't just about achievement; it's about opportunity, and we're proud to create pathways that prepare every student for success beyond graduation."

The College Board launched the AP School Honor Roll in 2023 to spotlight programs that are delivering results while broadening participation, a combination harder to achieve than concentrating exam-takers among a narrow academic tier.

For families in northern Buncombe County, the recognition carries concrete implications. Scores of 3 or higher on AP Exams can translate into college credits, reducing tuition costs before a student ever sets foot on a campus. For the district, the honor roll placement provides a data point in budget and program expansion conversations. The designation also signals that rigorous coursework is available within the district, without students needing to look elsewhere.

North Buncombe offers multiple AP courses across disciplines, and district communications have pointed to ongoing efforts to increase access, provide exam preparation support and connect AP coursework to college and career pathways. The school's presence on the 2026 honor roll reflects the progress those efforts made with the students who graduated last spring.