Several Middle Georgia schools have been named honor schools by the state for their students’ achievement in Advanced Placement coursework.

Howard, Rutland and Westside high schools in Bibb County; Houston County, Northside, Perry and Warner Robins high schools in Houston County; and Mary Persons High School in Monroe County have been named AP STEM schools. That distinction is for schools with students testing in at least two AP math courses and two AP science courses.

Four of those schools -- Houston County, Warner Robins, Perry and Mary Persons high schools -- also were named AP STEM Achievement schools, which means they met the AP STEM requirements while at least 40 percent of the AP math and AP science exams earned scores of 3 or higher. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math.

AP classes and exams are administered by the College Board, which also administers the SAT. The courses offer rigorous college-level learning options to students in high school. Students who receive a 3, 4 or 5 on AP exams may receive college credit.