With AP exams costing $99 each, many Benjamin students face a bill for $400 or higher, before even opening a digital or paper test booklet. Despite this high price, AP classes and exams are crucial elements of a high school education, offering opportunities for students to engage with rigorous learning, show colleges they are ready for advanced coursework, and even earn credits that may help fast-track their university experience. With many students taking various AP classes, the price of exams can add up very fast, and this expense is just an additional payment for families to make. As Benjamin is a tuition-based school, the cost of AP exams should be covered, as it supports academic excellence, keeps the private school competitive with public schools, and does not add more anxiety to the process as a whole.
We are one of the few schools in the area that requires students to take all of their AP exams in the spring. Students cannot enroll in an AP class without registering for the exam, and are held back from graduating if they fail to complete the assessment. While this raises standards and helps our community continue to have high test scores and college credit yield rates, it also makes the concept of students paying for these exams unfair. If it is a requirement, the School should be covering the cost.
Without financial aid, tuition for a Benjamin Upper School student totals $38,595 per year. Assuming a student attends for all four years of high school, the amount adds up to almost $155,000. This price is reasonable compared to other private schools in South Florida, and considering the quality of education we offer. However, there are a myriad of added fees that can pile up: textbooks, uniforms, laptops, general school supplies, ID replacements, the list goes on. The school should set aside a portion of tuition to cover fees that accompany AP exams, regardless of how many a student takes in his or her high school career.
Public schools often have their exams subsidised by the government. To continue to attract the best students and to competitively go beyond what public schools offer, the School should certainly mirror this free AP exam concept. This would ensure that students get the value and privilege of paying for private schooling, instead of having to pay numerous extra fees. By providing comparative support, Benjamin can remain academically competitive, and students will remain encouraged.
Aside from the educational benefits that AP classes offer to Benjamin students, the school also has the opportunity to thrive off of students’ success in these classes. Offering AP classes expands Benjamin’s portfolio and academic profile. 84% of students in the Upper School will sit for one of the national exams in May 2026. 427 out of 509 is no small percentage or feat. Statistics such as these, as well as the scores produced by students, rank Benjamin among the top college preparatory schools in the nation.
Covering the cost of AP exams is a smart decision for the Benjamin administration. This act would create consistency with public schools, allow for less anxiety over fees, and improve the school community overall. AP exams are so much more than just tests; they are essential for college success and allow Benjamin students to show their excellence. As a college preparatory school, it is Benjamin’s responsibility to ensure that these exams are not extra costs, but simply extra opportunities.
