By Scott Elpers

Garden Plain High School was one of a small number of high school’s in the state to be recognized recently as part of the fifth annual Governor’s Achievement Awards. This marked the fourth consecutive year GPHS has won the award.

The Governor’s Achievement Award recognizes the top performing schools in the state academically. Only 18 high schools, 43 elementary schools and 11 middle and junior high schools in Kansas were given the recognition.

“It’s a great honor for our school, district, students and faculty,” said Garden Plain High School principal Troy McChristian. “Our kids like to compete, whether it’s in state assessments or on the football field and the basketball court. We also have a great group of teachers that work hard to make these kids successful.”

To receive this prestigious award, schools must have achieved the “Standard of Excellence” in both reading and mathematics for 2011. Additionally, the school must have made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in both reading and mathematics. For elementary schools and middle/junior high schools the additional AYP measure is attendance and for high schools the measure is graduation rate. The school must have been among the top five-percent of schools in both reading and mathematics on the 2011 state assessments

“The Governor’s Achievement Award is a significant recognition for Kansas schools,” said Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Diane DeBacker. “The accomplishment recognizes a school’s high expectations and the ability of the school staff to assist students in achieving to those expectations.”
St. Joseph Catholic School in Ost was also honored with the Governor’s Achievement Award.

“We are a small school and have several students with special needs or from low income homes, so it’s pretty awesome to see them get this award being they might not have he resources that other schools have,” said St. Joe principal Eva Harmon. “They are exceptional students.”

St. Joe has 123 students from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade and nine certified teachers on staff.
“The teachers look at this as a vocation and a service to others, and Father Ivan Eck has been an inspirational leader to the students and staff,” she said. “And none of this would be possible without the support of the parents.”