School marks national honor
SLIPPERY ROCK — Students, administrators and faculty at Slippery Rock High School on Friday celebrated a national award that recognizes a dramatic turnaround in standardized test scores at the school.
Former high school principal Kristie Shulsky called the recognition a testament to how the school’s culture changed after a two-year stint, from 2010 through the 2011-12 school year, when poor test scores put the school on the Department of Education’s list of buildings that didn’t meet minimum academic standards.
But through an effort that focused on working together and incentivizing students, the district managed a dramatic turnaround. By the 2014-15 school year, the building’s standardized test scores had gone from worst to first in the 27-district Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV.
“Every teacher and student created an environment for learning,” said Shulsky, who is now the principal of Moraine Elementary School. “The culture in this building changed. Our success is an example of how administrators, teachers and parents can work together on behalf of students.”
In September, the high school was named one of 335 National Blue Ribbon schools for 2015 by the U.S. Department of Education. The distinction recognizes schools that show high learning standards or that have made improvements in reducing the achievement gap over five years.
Superintendent Alfonso Angelucci told students that the national recognition was about them and their achievements over the previous five years.
“This day is for you. This award is all about you. It’s through your hard work,” Angelucci said.
He said Slippery Rock was one of only five high schools statewide this school year to be named a national Blue Ribbon school.
The building was one of 17 schools in Pennsylvania to receive the award in 2015, and the only school in Butler County to be named to the list. The most recent other county school to be named was the Seneca Valley Middle School in 2012.
Slippery Rock University President Cheryl Norton told students they shouldn’t overlook this achievement as they move on with their lives. She told the seniors their resumes will stand out to employers and school admissions departments because of the honor.
“It’s not something that’s taken lightly,” Norton said.
“They know what you have achieved. You have achieved with excellence.”
But, Norton added, students should remember that such success wasn’t achieved without partnerships. She urged students to remember that and to “pay it forward” in the months and years to come.
“Reach down, help someone else in need, and remember what excellence can achieve,” Norton said.
As part of the award the school received plaques, a flag and banner that will be displayed at the school.
Shulsky and former assistant principal Jake Jefferis, raised the flag outside the high school Friday afternoon following the assembly.
