Gabe Medrano teaches Advanced Placement (AP) US Government and Politics at Lewis and Clark High School, which is one of approximately 30 AP courses available for 9-12 grade students in Spokane Public Schools.
“I love seeing the students challenge themselves, he said, noting that it’s nice to hear former students say that his course helped them prepare for success in higher education.
AP courses in English, math, science, social studies, world languages, visual arts, and other subjects provide an opportunity for students to engage in rigorous, college-level coursework, allowing them to earn college credit, explore future areas of study, and build confidence along their career pathways.
In 2026, 1,640 SPS students sat for 3,517 AP tests with a 74% pass rate.
Funding to provide AP course options is supported by the local Educational Programs and Operations levy, which helps to fund academic programs, services, and student activities that are not funded by the state. The local levy makes up about 15% of Spokane Public Schools' annual operating budget. A replacement levy will be presented to voters on the Nov. 3, 2026, ballot. For more information, visit Learn About the Levy.