"When I've attended AP seminars, teachers ask me how Rice students have such a high rate of success on their AP tests. I explain to them that at Rice, we believe student preparation starts the minute they walk through our doors. Our courses are scaffolded within each department to meet students where they are and to move them forward with skills and critical thinking. Our teachers understand that students want to be challenged but need to be supported in their efforts and teachers do this by being available not just during class time but also for individual help at other times in the day."

Regardless of whether a student starts in our college preparatory or Honors classes, we encourage ALL students to push themselves academically, personally and spiritually while at Rice. Many show incredible academic growth, progressively taking more challenging classes as they mature and define their educational goals. Senior Bila Bogre is a prime example. Bila admittedly cruised his freshman year at Rice. However, his affinity to math, a burgeoning interest in chemical engineering, and conversations with his family, pushed Bila to choose courses that would challenge him more. Eventually, he landed in 5 AP courses his senior year. Bila credits his academic growth to his brother and the consistent support of his Rice teachers - “The teachers at Rice all want to see their students succeed and they’re willing to help at any time.”

Senior Natalie Martin has always been a driven student, but she’s even surprised about what she’s accomplished in her time at Rice. Natalie has maximized the Rice academic experience and will finish her time at Rice with nine Honors and seven AP courses on her transcript. Recently accepted to Boston College as a Biology major, Natalie appreciates the accessibility of these courses at Rice, as well as the immense amount of support and compassion her teachers have offered every step of the way. She marvels at the confidence she’s developed in Rice’s most rigorous courses, knowing that her teachers have provided her and her classmates with everything they need to succeed. “When I started at Rice, I didn’t realize the potential I had,” admits Natalie. “There’s a precedent for excellence at Rice - it’s in the school DNA - and everyone is there to support students seeking that excellence.”