The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students either achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap.

PINELLAS COUNTY – St. Petersburg Collegiate High School at St. Petersburg College has been recognized as an Exemplary High Performing School National Blue Ribbon for 2017 by the U.S. Department of Education.

The award recognizes SPCHS for being among the state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.

“I am immensely proud of our students and grateful for the dedicated St. Petersburg Collegiate High School and St. Petersburg College faculty and staff who guide and inspire our students to become scholars and leaders who achieve their goals,” said Starla Metz, the school’s principal.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, launched in 1982, recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students either achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap. Public and private schools may be nominated only once within a five-year period.

“National Blue Ribbon Schools are active demonstrations of preparing every child for a bright future,” U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos told honorees during a livestreamed announcement.

At SPCHS, a public charter school governed by the SPC’s Board of Trustees, students are able to simultaneously earn a high school diploma and an associate in arts degree. For the past six years, SPCHS’ high school graduation rate has been 100 percent, and the average AA graduation rate has been 97 percent.

Since its inception in 2004, SPCHS has earned an “A” rating from the state of Florida. In 2016, Newsweek named it the 55th best high school in America. Only one of 10 in Florida to make the list, SPCHS held the second ranking in the state.

St. Petersburg Collegiate High School and SPC will be honored at an awards ceremony on Nov. 6 in Washington, D.C.

Photo courtesy of St. Petersburg College.

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