Moniteau School District officials are framing recent positive rankings as the result of students’ and teachers’ dedication and hard work at the small, rural district.

At Moniteau’s school board meeting Monday, Oct. 13, board members and school officials revealed an upswing in overall rankings for the high school due to good test scores. Moniteau recently was ranked 220 out of 741 Pennsylvania schools by U.S. News and World Report.

“This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students, staff and families,” high school principal Lance Fox said. “It reflects our entire school community's commitment to creating an environment where excellence, growth and belonging can thrive.”

Moniteau was also ranked 5377 out of roughly 24,000 schools nationally, according to the U.S. News and World Report ranking.

Moniteau said in a news release the report was based on how schools serve their students, focus on college readiness, students’ state assessment proficiency, school graduation rate and undeserved student performance.

As a small, rural school district, Panza said the high school deserves recognition. He said current scores and performance are the best in several years and that the administrators, students and teachers deserve credit for the hard work they’ve put in.

“I always look at it as a triangle, with the school, the parents and the student working together. What we’re seeing right now, with support by administration and staff, students recognize that, they’re getting the education and they’re putting in the work,” Panza said.