CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) The 11th Annual Pass and Go Event will be held Saturday, Aug. 3 at Wyatt Johnson Automotive Group’s Mazda dealership. This event rewards Clarksville-Montgomery County School System high school students who pass their Advanced Placement (AP) exams. The event is made possible through the support of community partners.

A record number of CMCSS students took AP exams in May with their pass results more than doubling the national average. This year, 1,343 CMCSS tenth, eleventh, and twelfth graders were enrolled in AP classes and took 2,198 exams. They passed 1,046 exams with a 3, 4 or 5.

One of the reasons for CMCSS students’ success is the incentive of winning a brand new car. Wyatt Johnson Automotive Group hosts the event each year.

Students who pass the AP exam with a score of 3, 4 or 5 have a chance to win a 2019 Toyota Yaris, Hyundai Accent or Kia Rio. Other event sponsors include the Clarksville-Montgomery County Education Foundation, Domino’s Pizza and Beach Oil Company, each providing additional prizes for students.

The AP exam pass rate for CMCSS students is 49%, which has been the case for several years. This pass rate is more than double the national pass rate, which stood at 22% in 2016.

“We’re thrilled to support the students and teachers of the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System. We’re so proud of this partnership and all of the success with improving the AP classes and exams,” said Katherine Cannata, dealer principal with Wyatt Johnson Automotive Group.

The event has garnered national attention with the school system being recognized as a 2017 District of Distinction for encouraging students to take AP classes and increase the exam pass rate.

On the day of the event, students register between 4 and 5 p.m. Eligible students must be present to win. Drawings begin as soon as registration ends. Students who draw a designated color of key have the opportunity to draw one of 10 keys which will open a car door. The 10 key holders who open the door then have the chance to draw the one key which will start the car.

The Pass and Go program was launched in 2009 during a time when AP enrollment exam passage rates were stagnant and enrollment in the rigorous courses was declining. The idea was to encourage and reward students who not only enrolled in advanced placement courses, but also passed with a score of 3, 4, or 5.

Nearly $30,000 in support has been provided each year to motivate and reward students.