Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Friday, September 26, 2008
Autumn Grooms: Aquinas receives deserved recognition
Aquinas High School was in the spotlight often during the 2007-08 school year when its boys cross country, football and basketball teams brought WIAA state titles back to La Crosse.
Staff, students, parents and alumni had much to be proud of.
But this year — just a week into the start of classes — Aquinas and Coulee Catholic Schools had another reason to celebrate when U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings announced the school was among 320 elementary, middle and high schools receiving national recognition for helping students achieve at high levels.
The Catholic high school was named a 2008 No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School for its academic excellence and ACT scores in the top 10 percent of the nation.
“Blue Ribbon Schools are an example of what teachers and students can achieve,” Spellings said. “Now our challenge is to help other schools follow their lead by continuing to measure progress through No Child Left Behind and by using the knowledge we’ve gained to replicate effective strategies and help every student improve.”
Aquinas was one of only three private high schools in the nation to be honored in 2008, and only nine other Catholic schools in Wisconsin have received the distinction during the past 26 years.
“The awards process is very selective, and I want to congratulate our students, faculty, staff and parents on this tremendous achievement,” Coulee Catholic Schools President Kurt Nelson said.
Aquinas Principal Ted Knutson said staff worked for “two solid years” to get this award.
The No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools that are either academically superior or that demonstrate gains in student achievement to high levels.
The schools are selected based on one of two criteria:
“This year’s ACT composite average of 24.4 speaks highly of the motivation of students, parents and school to work together for success,” Aquinas wrote in its Blue Ribbon school application.
According to the application, 95 percent of the school’s 2007 graduates enrolled in a four-year college; 2 percent enrolled in community college; 1 percent found employment; and 2 percent enlisted in military service.
Aquinas representatives will travel to Washington, D.C., in October to receive the award. A celebration will follow their return to La Crosse.
Aquinas was the only Coulee Region school recognized.
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