Eight students at Montezuma-Cortez High School have achieved exceptional scores on advanced placement exams and two received National Merit recognition.

According to an email Wednesday from Principal Jennifer Boniface, the eight are Myles Larrick, Alicia Brito, Heather Martinez, Marisol Candelaria, Lily Sandner, Clayton Elliott, Isabella Tewell and Leopold Morey.

Larrick, a senior, was deemed an AP scholar for scoring a three or higher on three or more AP exams he took this year.

Brito and Martinez earned National Merit status. Martinez earned the National Hispanic Recognition Award, and Brito earned both the National Hispanic Recognition Award and the National Rural and Small Town Award.

The remaining five students all scored a four on one or more of their AP exams.

Candelaria and Sandner scored a four on drawing; Elliott, on environmental science and English language composition; Tewell, on environmental science; and Morey, on human geography.

AP exams are offered by the College Board and are taken in May after students have spent a school year in an AP course. The exams help measure college readiness.

The lowest score a student can get is a one, and the highest is a five. According to the College Board, students who achieve a three or higher could be offered scholarships, credit or high placement from a college or university.