OAKLAND — Parents often ask their children what they learned in school that day.

Those in Advanced Placement Calculus BC at Messalonskee High School could say “Indefinite integrals, differential equations and parametric equations.”

It turns out they are mastering the college-level subject matter rather well.

Oakland-based Regional School Unit 18 was one of 367 public school systems in the United States and Canada, and the lone one in Maine, to earn a spot on the College Board’s second annual Advanced Placement Honor Roll.

It did so by increasing the number of students enrolled in its Advanced Placement courses while maintaining the percentage of students earning a score of 3 or higher on the exams.

Students who score 3 or higher typically earn college credit; the scoring scale is 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score.

From 2009 to 2011 at Messalonskee High School, the number of students taking AP courses rose from 114 to 141 and the number of students scoring 3 or higher on exams stayed about the same, dipping from 79 percent in 2009 to 75 percent in 2011.

In 2011, some of the 141 students simultaneously took two or three AP classes, said Lisa Hallen, guidance director at Messalonskee High School.

Hallen said students who earn college credits in high school begin their post-secondary careers with financial and academic advantages.

“I see the exam score as a bonus,” Hallen said. “The students are involved in an intense class and handling in-depth, rigorous material.”

Messalonskee, which serves students from Belgrade, China, Oakland, Rome and Sidney, offers the advanced classes in English literature, English language, computer science, statistics, two levels of calculus, biology, chemistry, United States history and European history. Independent advanced courses are offered in Latin and studio art.

Superintendent Gary Smith credited the school board with providing financial resources in difficult economic times so all students have a chance to academically succeed. Smith also praised teachers for motivating students to tackle the challenging subject matter.

At Messalonskee High School, the advanced classes are open to all students who have completed or who are taking prerequisites.

Each advanced placement teacher’s syllabus is evaluated and approved by college faculty and all the exams are developed and scored by college faculty and experienced AP teachers, according to the College Board.

In 2010, the College Board reported that 1.8 million students in more than 17,000 schools worldwide took 3.2 million Advanced Placement exams.

Beth Staples — 861-9252

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