BILOXI HIGH SCHOOL – A BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL

In October, U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings will announce  Biloxi High School is a national BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL. Biloxi High School is one of only four Mississippi schools in 2007 to be selected for the highest level of recognition by the Department of Education. This is a first-time honor for a Biloxi school, and the School Board and school personnel have planned a Week of Celebration to highlight the achievement through various events to be announced for the week of September 28 – October 5. In November, BHS principal Pamela Manners and a Biloxi High School teacher will attend award ceremonies in Washington, D.C.

The BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL program recognizes and presents model schools whose students meet either of two challenging assessment criteria: (1) at least 40% of students are from disadvantaged backgrounds and have dramatically improved student performance to high levels in reading (language arts or English) and mathematics on state assessments or referenced against national norms in at least the highest grade tested in the last year tested; (2) regardless of demographics, schools are in the top 10% of schools as measured by state tests in both reading (language arts or English) and mathematics or score in the top 10 percent on assessments referenced against national norms in at least the highest grade tested in the last year tested. Schools must also make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in reading, language arts, and mathematics under the No Child Left Behind Act.

Biloxi High School has an enrollment of 1,068 in grades 10-12, with a certified staff of 99 (10% of the teachers hold National Board Certification) and a support staff of 16.  The comprehensive program of studies includes more than 160 courses; and students have an exceptionally broad range of choices for participation in sports, extracurricular activities that include over 40 clubs and other organizations, and curricular and co-curricular programs centered in arts studies and performance.

Seniors in the 2007 graduating class won more than $4-million in scholarships, including one military appointment, six ROTC scholarships, twelve four-year athletic scholarships, over thirty presidential scholarships, and a record number of scholarships to both state and out-of-state institutions. Graduation rate for BHS students is more than 92%; attendance rate is 94%. The state mean score on ACT last year was 18.9; Biloxi High School’s mean score on ACT was 20.6.

The unprecedented honor recognizing Biloxi High School as a BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL is announced with great pride and with deep appreciation for the long history of support by Biloxians who have always believed in the timeless values of education.