BRIGHT STAR SCHOOLS’ VALOR ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL AND RISE KOHYANG HIGH SCHOOL RECEIVE AP SCHOOL HONOR ROLL RECOGNITION
Top performing charter public high schools both recognized for robust AP programs that enable students to accelerate their higher education pathways
LOS ANGELES, CA – Bright Star Schools’ Valor Academy High School in North Hills and Rise Kohyang High School in Koreatown, both high-performing charter public high schools that emphasize and prepare students for success in higher education, have been recognized on the College Board’s 2024 AP (Advanced Placement) School Honor Roll. The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools that have done outstanding work to welcome more students into AP courses and support them on the path to college success.
Valor Academy High School, recognized for the first time, received gold recognition for both college culture and college credit, and platinum recognition for college optimization.
Recognized for the second consecutive year, Rise Kohyang High School received silver recognition for college culture, gold recognition for college credit, and platinum recognition for college optimization.
“At Bright Star Schools, we’re proud to offer our students rigorous academics and higher education access and opportunities, like AP coursework and dual enrollment college classes. We want every student to succeed in and graduate from the higher education pathway of their choice,” said Ana L. Martinez, Lead Executive Officer for Bright Star Schools. “We celebrate Valor Academy High School and Rise Kohyang High School being recognized for their robust higher education focus and preparation and their incredible results for students,” Martinez added.
The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness. As a result of their robust programs, both Valor Academy High School and Rise Kohyang High School have higher education matriculation rates that are nearly 40% higher than the national average for students from similar schools nationwide.
In 2024, 90% of Valor Academy High School graduates and 88% of Rise Kohyang High School graduates matriculated to higher education respectively, compared to just 51% of graduates from similar schools nationwide.
About Valor Academy High School
Valor Academy High School (VAHS), located in North Hills in the east San Fernando Valley, serves nearly 500 students. The majority of VAHS students (95%) are eligible for free or reduced-price meals, and 19% receive inclusive (special) education support.
Valor Academy High School, named to the honor roll for the first time, received the following recognitions:
- Gold recognition for both college culture and college credit, and
- Platinum recognition for college optimization.
“At Rise Kohyang High School, we have a strong higher education focus, and offer Advanced Placement courses beginning in 9th grade. We’re thrilled to be recognized for the second consecutive year by the College Board AP Honor Roll and to receive gold and platinum recognition, the highest level of achievement on the Honor Roll,” said Cynthia Trigueros, principal for Rise Kohyang High School. “We’re proud that we’re expanding our students’ access to higher education and accelerating their pathways to a degree through AP coursework during high school.”
With robust academics, AP courses, inclusive education, and strong social-emotional support, 88% of RKHS 2024 graduates matriculated to higher education, compared to just 51% of students from similar schools nationwide.
RKHS is ranked a Best High School 2024 and in the top 5% of high schools nationwide by US News and World Report.
Higher Education Support
After high school graduation, all Bright Star Schools alumni receive up to 6 years of free, individualized higher education support from Bright Star Schools’ Alumni Support and College Success program to ensure they thrive and graduate.
About Bright Star Schools
In nine, tuition-free charter public schools across three communities in Los Angeles (South Los Angeles, Koreatown, and the San Fernando Valley), Bright Star Schools’ 3,600+ students experience rigorous academics, inclusive education, social-emotional support and rich life opportunities beyond the classroom from transitional kindergarten through 12th grade and up to six years of higher education support.
More information is available at www.brightstarschools.org.
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