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Amato's Corner
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by
Anthony Amato |
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Lincoln Prep top in the nation in 2008
Rankings culminate several years of efforts by teachers and staff at the school.
Lincoln College Preparatory Academy is one step closer toward its goal of being “a world class school for world class students.” U.S. News & World Report magazine recently named Lincoln Prep one of the “Best High Schools 2008”.
The school is just one of four in the Kansas City area to receive the designation, joining Lee’s Summit North on the Missouri side, and Sumner Academy and Blue Valley North in Kansas. Lincoln was given the bronze designation.
The magazine, with the help of School Evaluation Services, a K-12 data research and analysis business run by Standard & Poor’s, analyzed the data of more than 18,000 high schools to compile its inaugural list. Schools in 40 states were judged using a three-step process.
The first two steps measured reading and math test results on state exams, with extra weight given to the number of economically disadvantaged students who performed above expectations.
Schools that exceeded the state average were advanced to the third level, college readiness. Readiness was measured based on AP participation rate for 12th-grade students, how well students did on those tests and passed.
Schools that ranked highest in college readiness were given the gold designation, with the next 405 earning silver, and the remaining 1,086 earning bronze awards.
Over the past five years Lincoln Prep exceeded state averages in both ACT scores 22.2 to 21.6 and graduation rate 98.3 to 76.2 percent. In addition, the school has been honored through the U.S. Department of Education Secondary School Recognition Program, the Rotary Excellence in Education Award, and has been a participant in the Missouri A+ Grant Program.
Lincoln Prep also continues to further its curriculum, according to Dr. Cheryl Wright, principal. The school continues to expand its International Baccalaureate and college preparatory offerings.
Overall, Lincoln Prep’s selection by U.S. News & World Report is a continuation of the school’s success, Wright said.
“I’m very proud to be part of the Lincoln community and continue to be astonished by the achievements of our students and staff,” Wright said. “We see this as a significant achievement but we don’t want it to be the last achievement we receive. We want to go higher.”
2008 Archives:
January Safety a top priority for KC public schools
2007 Archives:
December Lincoln Prep top in the nation in 2008
November Parents Have Power
October Early Reading First
September National Attention on Reform Initiative
July Neighborhood Schools for Everyone
June Year-End Wrap-Up from Head of Schools
May Summer School Starts June 18 , Summer School Is for Everyone & Parent Power Prepares You for College
April Wake Up: It's Time to Take a MAP & Lincoln Goes to Robotics Finals
February See the Stars at Southwest High School
January Parent/Teacher Conferences Coming Up & College Degrees for District Parents