St. Georges Technical High School Wins State Academic Achievement Award

St. Georges Technical High School was one of 17 schools from across Delaware to win a 2013 Reward and Recognition School Award, known informally as the state’s Academic Achievement Awards. Lieutenant Governor Matt Denn and Department of Education Secretary Mark Murphy announced the winners Oct. 15 in three separate press conferences, one in each county, to honor the winners.

These awards, which carry a $50,000 prize for each school, were created by legislation spearheaded by the Lt. Governor and passed by the Delaware General Assembly in 2009. The awards are given (a) to schools whose students are performing at an exceptionally high level, particularly those schools with large percentages of students coming from low-income households, and (b) to schools that have succeeded in closing the achievement gap for students such as low-income students, students from minority groups, and students with disabilities. Winners were selected based on 2012-13 data. St. Georges was in the Recognition School category for non-Title I schools, and is one of only 3 high schools among the 17 winning schools. The school was selected for exceptional performance based on 2013 student DCAS results.

Funding for the awards comes from the state’s Race to the Top grant. The winning schools have discretion in deciding how to spend the money. As in years past, each school will appoint a committee (with administration, teacher, support staff and parent representation) to determine how the award will be used.