Northgate School Board members were told Monday that performance in the high school’s advanced placement (AP) classes is improving.

Board member Dr. Shannon Smithey said that students in AP classes must earn a “three” grade in order to receive college credit for the class. In 2011, she said, 63 percent of AP students did just that, compared to 48 percent the year before.

The scores put Northgate a little above the national average, but a little below the state average, according to Smithey and high school principal Bryan Kyle.

Both credited more experienced teachers with the increase in scores. Superintendent Dr. Reggie Bonfield said that AP teachers also had received special training.