Staff Reports

Lake Charles-Boston Academy of Learning has been ranked in the top 100 CLEP testing centers in the country by the College Board.

The College Board, a nonprofit group, creates and administers the group of standardized tests. Students who perform well enough “test out” of the course and don’t have to take it in college. This is the second consecutive year Lake Charles-Boston has received the distinction out of over 1,600 CLEP sites in the United States, school system officials said.

“CLEP provides outstanding opportunities for high school students to earn college credits,” Superintendent Karl Bruchhaus said in a news release. “The fact that Calcasieu students are able to test locally in our own district-owned quality lab at … enhances those opportunities.”

Last year alone, Calcasieu students were eligible for 1,494 semester hours of college credit through CLEP testing, officials said. 

Principal Beth Fraser said the recognition reflects the School Board’s commitment to students and parents. 

“Utilizing available funding, our students are able to earn free college credit for some subject matter they have mastered in high school,” she said in the news release.

Fraser said CLEP tests are a time saver for students, allowing them to complete degrees faster. Each test also saves money, she said. State tuition, books and other fees average $1,500 per three-hour course, she said. 

Fraser said that number is closer to $1,800 at McNeese and about $2,700 at LSU.