Mrs. Sullivan

🐻 MHS English Teacher 💜 NHS Advisor / AP Lang / Eng 4 / AP Research / AP Seminar / Gifted & Talented Ambassador

[Trevor Packer @AP_Trevor]

The 2026 AP Research scores:
5: 17%; 4: 31%; 3: 42%; 2: 8%; 1: 2%

AP Research papers were developed and submitted by ~53,000 students this year, less than 1% of the high school population.

About the AP Research scores

We hear often from Higher Education and employers about the need for students to develop and demonstrate durable skills. And when we surveyed AP students across all 40+ subject areas last year to ask whether what they learned in the AP course was relevant to their futures, AP Research received higher ratings than any other AP subject, period. (The next highest-rated for future relevance were Calculus, English Literature, Seminar, Spanish Language, and Spanish Literature.)

And this makes sense to me, given the persistence, self-management, and transferable skills students develop and demonstrate in AP Research. Over the course of the year, each student independently designs, plans, and carries out an original scholarly investigation on an academic topic, problem, issue, or idea of their own choosing—selecting their own research question, methodology, and sources. This kind of sustained, self-directed inquiry mirrors the authentic work of university researchers.

The course culminates in a 4,000–5,000-word academic paper and a 15–20-minute presentation with oral defense. (Students must defend their research question, methodology, and findings before a panel of evaluators—answering probing questions that test the depth and rigor of their scholarship.) The paper accounts for 75% of the AP score, and the presentation and defense for 25%.

The scoring rubric is designed to reward papers that go beyond summarizing existing research to make genuine contributions to knowledge: articulating a clear and defensible research question, applying a sound and replicable methodology, presenting logical reasoning supported by sufficient evidence, and demonstrating mastery of academic conventions including accurate citation.

The topics AP Research students pursue reflect genuine intellectual curiosity across virtually every discipline—from the sciences and social sciences to the humanities and the arts. Each year, the range and inventiveness of the research questions students generate impresses and sometimes astonishes the faculty who read and score these papers.

In short, AP Research students build and use a set of transferable research and writing skills—including literature review, research design, data analysis or textual analysis, argumentation, and citation—that are directly applicable in college coursework regardless of major. Students who complete AP Research demonstrate that they can identify a meaningful question, engage seriously with the scholarly literature, collect and analyze evidence, and communicate findings to an academic audience.

AP Research scores of 5: Papers earning AP 5s demonstrated original inquiry—a well-defined research question, a detailed and replicable methodology, logical reasoning that ties evidence to conclusions, and skillful use of academic conventions.

AP Research scores of 3 or higher: Papers earning at least a 3 advanced meaningfully beyond summary—they articulated a focused research purpose, engaged credibly with sources, and presented findings in appropriate academic form.

All subjects’ AP score distributions for 2026 will be posted here when available: https://t.co/OrkaQhPZYO

[Montgomery NHS @montgomery_nhs]

NHS at #LEADconf today! Very excited for great opportunities to grow as leaders and connect with
other student leaders around the world!

[The SAT Program @OfficialSAT]

If you’re taking the digital PSAT/NMSQT in October, here’s what you can expect on test day. https://t.co/UWg1M1wtYX

[Montgomery ISD @MontgomeryISD]

MISD celebrates Laura Sullivan from @mhs_bears with our next Above and Beyond Shout Out! Laura was selected for the way she serves her campus, taking on a new teaching assignment with joy and excitement for her students! Thank you, Mrs. Sullivan, for going #AboveAndBeyond!

[Mrs. Sullivan @sullymhs]

Vote for @KaysieLynch!

[Houston Chronicle High School Sports @HoustonChronHS]

⭐️ 𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊 ⭐️

🥇 Kaitlyn Gale, @CFHS_Knights
🤽‍♂️ Elanor Atkinson, @Dawson_Aquatics
🏐 Kaysie Lynch, @Montgomeryvball
🏐 @MoMadison15, @CPVBCavs
🏐 @bailey_warren2, @FULSHEARVB

𝐕𝐎𝐓𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 ➡️ https://t.co/LF023eCFOy

[National Honor Society @NatHonorSociety]

.@montgomery_nhs inducted 93 new members this spring and celebrated its 50th anniversary 🎉 as a chapter.

The MHS chapter was founded in 1973. This year's inductees are excited to continue that tradition and carry on the legacy of the chapter's alumni. Congrats, inductees!

[Montgomery ISD @MontgomeryISD]

At the MISD school board meeting this week, trustees recognized the district's GT counselors and advocates, in honor of GT Awareness Week. Special thanks to these dedicated folks who support and encourage MISD's gifted learners! #BePremier#WeAreMontgomeryISD

[Montgomery NHS @montgomery_nhs]

Congratulations to the newest inductees in the MHS NHS chapter! @NatHonorSociety @MrHollander_MHS @mhs_bears

[Mrs. Sullivan @sullymhs]

So honored to get to be a part of this recognition for these amazing students!

[Kathy Miller @Miller_MHS]

Congratulations to all our Honor Graduates! We enjoyed celebrating with your family and teacher tonight. Really proud of each of you! @MrHollander_MHS @Julie_Roth04 @MHS_Starkey_AP @sjohnston_MHS @mhs_bears @mhs_aero @LThompson_MHS @montgomery_nhs

[Montgomery ISD @MontgomeryISD]

Congratulations to @mhs_bears One Act Play on advancing to Area Competition! Awards were given to the following:
Honorable Mention: Karis Klammer
All-Star Cast: Logan Vidal
Best Performer: Brayden Havard
Area is at Bastrop Performing Arts Center on Thur, Mar 30. #BePremier

[Mrs. Sullivan @sullymhs]

So proud of these kids and @mostheatretweet! 👏🏼👏🏼

[Nicole Morgan @mostheatretweet]

Last nights awards were Owen M and Kaiden C - Honorable Mention All-Star Cast, Karis K and Logan V - All Star Cast, and Brayden H - Best Performer. Proud of them all for letting our story be told! Great company mentality!

[Mrs. Sullivan @sullymhs]

@MHSLBhoops @MrHollander_MHS Way to go, Maddie!

[Mrs. Sullivan @sullymhs]

Look who was a featured panelist at the @TXGifted GiftED ‘22 conference today! Great job, Bella, discussing your educational experience! @MrHollander_MHS @mhs_bears

[Mrs. Sullivan @sullymhs]

Congratulations!! 👏🏼

[Nicole Morgan @mostheatretweet]

Montgomery has National Qualifiers from State Festival! Congratulations to the team for outstanding work! Additional qualifying in January!

[Mrs. Sullivan @sullymhs]

@MHS_BEAR_TENNIS Way to go, Brooke! 👏🏼

[Montgomery NHS @montgomery_nhs]

Thank you to everyone who donated to support the NHS bake sale at @Montgomeryvball Dig Pink games last night! With your help, we raised over $400! 💕 @MrHollander_MHS @mhs_bears

[MHS StuCo @montgomerystuco]

We still getting busy @ HoCo 22 🐻💜@MrHollander_MHS @kepope34 @sullymhs @BeckyDeBrosse

[Becky DeBrosse @BeckyDeBrosse]

MHS HOCO 2022 is in the books! Best group of ladies to plan a dance with! Y'all rock! @MHSMrsZ @kepope34 @sullymhs @mhs_bears

[Montgomery ISD @MontgomeryISD]

MISD's @MontgomeryISDGT will be opening the referral window for the 22-23 school year on Monday, Sept 26.
Want to learn more about MISD's GT programs? You are invited to attend a GT Information Night on Tuesday, Sept 27 at 6pm at the MISD ESC.
More info: https://t.co/dhlubdjEMU

[Mrs. Sullivan @sullymhs]

@Montgomeryvball Thank you! I love my new shirt!!