Apple Valley High School is one of four high schools in Apple Valley, and one of six in District 196. Its 1,800 students in grades nine through 12 have the opportunity to participate in numerous extracurricular and athletic activities; the school's mascot nickname is the Eagles. About 90 percent of Apple Valley High School students go on to a two- or four-year college, Principal Steve Degenaar said, and score above average on state standardized tests. The school offers the Advancement Via Individual Determination program, which works to advance average students to higher academic levels. Students have achieved many academic and extracurricular accomplishments, Degenaar said, including: ranked as a top-five speech and debate program nationally; has won at least one state athletic championship annually for the past 27 years; ranked first in number of combined athletic and arts state championships; has a top-ranked wrestling program; "EaglEye" broadcast journalism students won a 2010 Midwest Regional Emmy.