Students in Maryland public schools have the highest percentage of seniors achieving a score of 3 or higher on Advanced Placement exams in the country, according to data released by the College Board.

A total of 28 percent of seniors received a score of 3, 4 or 5 on the exams in 2011, which are given in courses for which  students can earn college credit for based on their scores. A score of 3 or higher is a passing grade. The statewide percentage is also a 1.5 percentage increase over 2010 scores.  

The state also has the second highest percentage  of students nationally taking exams, just behind Florida. In Maryland, just under 45 percent of students take the exams.

In Baltimore County, participation rates for schools varied, with some schools having less than 20 percent of seniors taking exams and others having more than 60 percernt of seniors sit for the tests.

The overall participation rate for the county was higher in 2011 than in 2010 with 37 percent of senior participating for the 2011 school year, compared to 35 percent in 2010.

Baltimore County's overall scores dropped slightly, with 64 percent of students receiving a passing score of a 3 compared to 69 percent in 2010.

Catonsville High School had a slight drop in participation as well, down from 49 percent to 44 percent.