Hutchison Earns Top AP School Honor Roll Distinction
Hutchison received Platinum distinction on the 2024 AP School Honor Roll, a recognition given by College Board.
The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose Advanced Placement programs are delivering results for students while broadening access. The AP program enables students to pursue college-level studies—with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both—while still in high school. According to College Board, schools can earn this recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to providing opportunities for students to earn college credit and maximizing college readiness.
“Our girls love a challenge, and we are proud of our students for choosing to challenge themselves academically by enrolling in an AP course or multiple AP courses,” academic dean Dr. Alyssa Villarreal said. “By taking AP courses, which culminate in challenging exams, students learn to think critically, construct solid arguments, and see many sides of an issue — skills that prepare them for college and beyond."
Hutchison exceeded the following criteria for the Platinum distinction:
Expand your school's college culture by enabling 80% of the Class of 2024 to experience one AP course before graduating.
Assist with college affordability by enabling 50% of the Class of 2024 to earn college credit by earning an AP Exam score of 3.
Optimize student’s college readiness by creating opportunities for 15% of your Class of 2024 to take a total of 5 APs across their high school years, with at least one taken in 9th or 10th grade.
Hutchison offers 19 AP courses for upper school students, including AP Biology, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Environmental Science, and AP Comparative Government & Politics, to help our girls create an educational journey unique to their skills, talents, and interests. Every single member of the Class of 2024 took at least one AP course before graduating, and over half of the class took five or more AP courses across their high school years. Our AP enrollment has more than doubled over the past 3 years with many girls taking multiple AP courses each year.
Our rigorous academic program for upper school students aims to produce passionate, serious scholars capable of effective communication, sustained work, independent thought, meaningful collaboration, and original expression.
Louise Smythe ’06, who works as a storyboard artist at Pixar Animation Studios and contributed to “Inside Out 2” credits her time at Hutchison for building her confidence and skills.
Hutchison Now highlights graduates early in their careers who embody how a Hutchison education can lead anywhere you can imagine. We spoke with Margaret Shaul ’14, a senior experience strategist at Czarnowski, a full-service exhibit and event marketing company. Shaul was named to Nashville’s Top 30 Under 30 leaders list in 2022.
While the weather outside is frightful, Ms. Hollingsworth and Ms. Aguilar’s Little Hive girls are staying warm and cozy in their own igloo built entirely from milk jugs.
“H” is for Honest, “U” is for Understanding, “T” is for Trustworthy… Hutchison’s beloved acrostic got a makeover in middle school this year, but the familiar character traits of the Ideal Hutchison Girl remain unchanged.
Caroline Orr ’12 has built a unique career that merges her love for art with business acumen. After working at Sotheby’s, she now works as an art services specialist at Bank of America, where she helps collectors navigate the art market with strategic advice.
The College Board recognized Hutchison for our commitment to expanding girls' access to AP Computer Science courses, empowering students with essential coding, problem-solving, and analytical skills to pursue future opportunities in STEM fields.
There’s no place like Hutchison! After reading “The Canterbury Tales” in Kenzie Newman’s English class, our juniors led a modern-day pilgrimage across campus, sharing meaningful locations and personal stories.
Hutchison Now highlights graduates early in their careers who embody how a Hutchison education can lead anywhere you can imagine. We spoke with Caroline Kyle ’15, a software engineer for Walmart Global Tech in Bentonville, Arkansas.
As part of a State of Tennessee initiative, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development recognized how Hutchison has made a difference in local and state communities for over 100 years.
Tyler Jones ’25 hasn’t had the easiest journey. After a long road to recovery from a knee injury, she worked even harder and signed to play Division I basketball for the University of New Mexico.
Hutchison Now highlights graduates early in their careers who embody how a Hutchison education can lead anywhere you can imagine. We spoke with Meagan Thornton ’12, the lead pharmacist at CaryRx, a digital pharmacy based in Washington, D.C., that provides access to pharmaceutical services online.