Olentangy Liberty High School (OLHS) has been named a 2009 Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. Only 314 schools from across the country and 19 from the state of Ohio received this honor for 2009.
“These Blue Ribbon Schools have shown that all children can learn with appropriate supports,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “They are producing outstanding results for their students. Some have shown dramatic improvements in places where students are overcoming the challenges of poverty, and others serve as examples of consistent excellence that can be a resource for other schools. They are places where improved teaching and learning benefits every student, and where students are challenged to meet high expectations with the active support of teachers, parents and the community.”
The Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private schools based on one of two criteria: schools whose students, regardless of background, achieve in the top 10 percent of their state on state tests or in the case of private schools in the top 10 percent of the nation on nationally-normed tests; and schools with at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that demonstrate dramatic improvement of student performance to high levels on state tests or nationally-normed tests.
In addition, public schools must meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in reading and mathematics. These academic standards and benchmark goals are set at the state level.
OLHS is the second Olentangy high school to earn Blue Ribbon designation from the federal government. Olentangy High School (OHS) was recognized in 2000. Schools must be in existence for at least five years before they are eligible for nomination.
“Olentangy is proud to have a second high school earn this significant academic honor,” said Olentangy Superintendent Wade Lucas, Ed.D. “Olentangy Liberty has a powerful combination of talented and motivated students, great parent and community support and an amazing staff. OLHS is a great example of the district’s mission ‘to facilitate maximum learning for every student.’”
All 2009 Blue Ribbon Schools were selected based upon scores from the 2007-08 school year. OLHS earned the top rating of “Excellent,” met 12 out of 12 indicators, met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and earned a Performance Index (PI) of 110.1 on the Ohio Department of Education’s local report card for 2007-08. OLHS again earned the highest possible rating for high schools of “Excellent,” met AYP, met 12 of 12 indicators and it’s PI score increased to 112 on the 2008-09 report card.
A complete list of the 2009 Blue Ribbon schools can be found at the following link: www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/2009/index.html.