Gaston school celebrates National Blue Ribbon distinction
schools in North Carolina. The school has achieved a perfect or near
perfect graduation rate every year since the state first calculated
the graduation rate in 2006. The school has earned a 100 percent
graduation rate six times (2008, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016, and 2017).
The school’s performance grade has been an A or A+ since the state
began determining the grades in 2014-2015. For 2016-2017, the
school had an A+ performance grade, and test results indicated no
achievement gap among students.
Highland opened in 2000 as Gaston County’s first magnet high
school. Students are chosen through an application and lottery
process. The school’s comprehensive academic program features
three distinct academies: health sciences; business, legal, and
information sciences; and manufacturing/engineering technology and
graphics.
Highland School of Technology officially celebrated its distinction
as a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School during a ceremony
on November 21 that had plenty of music, speeches, guests,
presentations, cheers, and applause.
The pep rally atmosphere created by the school’s cheerleaders
and band and a video created by students Cayson Sellers and
Lauren Snyder led into a formal program that culminated with the
presentation of the National Blue Ribbon School plaque and banner.
Highland is the third school in Gaston County
Schools to earn the National Blue Ribbon School
status since the recognition program began in
1982. W.A. Bess Elementary won the honor in
2006, and Arlington Elementary was named a
National Blue Ribbon School in 2003 (Arlington
consolidated when the new Sadler Elementary
School opened in August 2004).
Students Judah Tucker and Landon Burr led the Pledge of
Allegiance and Carleigh Ballard sang the national anthem. Speakers
included principal Denise McLean, assistant principal Josh Allen, and
Superintendent of Schools W. Jeffrey Booker.
l A R
Five people – former principal and current Board of Education
member Lee Dedmon, Larry Bumgardner of FMC Lithium, teacher
Melanie Weaver, senior class president Jason Osemeka, and parent
Stephanie Lowry – shared their perspective on being a National Blue
Ribbon School.
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Superintendent Booker stated, “In this community, we have
always known that the Highland School of Technology is a model
school with world-class students and teachers, and now, with this
national attention, everyone across the state and country knows it.”
“This award belongs to our entire community because students
at Highland come from all across the county,” added Booker. “It
is an honor that is a result of the unwavering commitment to high
academic standards and superior student achievement that has been
a part of Highland since the school opened 17 years ago.”
The National Blue Ribbon School award is given annually by the
United States Department of Education, and it is one of the highest,
most presti gious distinctions a school can receive.
Highland is one of only six schools in North Carolina and 342 in
the country to earn the award this year. Public and private K-12
schools receiving the honor have shown either outstanding academic
performance or progress in closing the achievement gap.
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Highland has consistently ranked as one of the most successful
Parent Teacher Magazine• January/February 2018• 5