Press Releases
G.W. Brackenridge High School Named One of America's Most Improved High Schools by the College Board
One of Three Schools in the Nation to Receive a $25,000 Inspiration Award
05/02/07
NEW YORK—G.W. Brackenridge High School in San Antonio has been selected as one of three outstanding high schools nationwide to be named a College Board 2007 Inspiration Award winner.
“Today’s competitive global job market places high emphasis on academic rigor and achievement. That is why every student deserves to receive the necessary groundwork to be academically equipped for college,” said Governor Rick Perry. “G.W. Brackenridge High School in San Antonio raises the bar for excellence, preparing young Texans for successful and bright futures.”
The Inspiration Awards honor those high schools that initiate unique programs and create partnerships among teachers, parents, community organizations, and local businesses to help more students pursue a college education. Each winning school receives a $25,000 award, and each of four honorable mention schools receives $1,000 to apply toward programs that encourage students to attend college.
College Board Senior Vice President Peter Negroni will present the award at an assembly at the school on May 2 at 9:30 a.m. CT.
“The College Board is honored to recognize these exemplary schools that inspire their students to work toward college success despite economic challenges,” said Negroni. “These dedicated administrators, teachers, and community leaders go above and beyond to set remarkably high expectations for all their students and provide exceptional academic opportunities.”
The two other 2007 College Board Inspiration Award winners are:
Remarking on the Inspiration Award winners, U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings said, “In today's competitive economy, a college education is becoming a necessity. Schools like these should be commended for helping more students achieve and pursue higher education. They’re setting a great example for other schools—proving that hard work and high expectations help students succeed.”
About G.W. Brackenridge High School
G.W. Brackenridge is a Title I school with a diverse enrollment of more than 1,850 students, of whom 97 percent are from minority backgrounds. Incoming ninth-graders have a passing rate of only 40 percent on state tests in eighth grade. Brackenridge educators face the challenge of preparing students for the rigors of honors and Advanced Placement Program® (AP®) courses. Despite these challenges, nearly 70 percent of its seniors are accepted to colleges and universities. Students earned $22 million in scholarships in the past two years.
Brackenridge prepares its historically underserved students for higher education by requiring all students to follow a college-preparatory curriculum. Beginning in ninth grade, students take a focused Freshmen Prep course that promotes study skills, career exploration, and goal setting to help them graduate and achieve their goals. Tenth-graders campuswide take the PSAT/NMSQT® and PLAN tests, and resulting data are used to design and implement a master schedule with an intensive curriculum.
With the Inspiration Award funds,
Awards Reflect Importance of Access to Higher Education
"The 2007 Inspiration Award winners are models of excellence with proven success in closing the achievement gap. They are an inspiration to all those working hard to provide the opportunity of college success to all students," said Negroni.
A distinguished panel of Inspiration Award judges selected this year’s winners based on the school’s success in increasing the number of students (from all school demographic groups) being prepared for college. The 2007 Inspiration Award judges were:
- Edwidge Danticat, a Miami-based writer
- Sarah Jones, a playwright, actor, and poet
- Randy Siegel, publisher of PARADE magazine
- Chauncey Veatch, 2002 National Teacher of the Year
College preparedness gains were measured based on a variety of factors, including the percentage of students taking college-preparatory core curriculum courses; the percentage of students accepted at two- or four-year colleges; and growth in student participation in rigorous classes such as AP, International Baccalaureate, or other honors programs. Beyond meeting basic eligibility requirements, the Inspiration Award–winning schools were selected for their innovative ability to inspire student success.
The following schools are recipients of the College Board 2007 Inspiration Award Honorable Mention and each school has received a $1,000 award:
Hogan Preparatory Academy,
Paramount
Eastside
More information about the College Board Inspiration Awards is available at www.collegeboard.com/inspirationawards.
The College Board: Connecting Students to College Success
The College Board is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the association is composed of more than 5,200 schools, colleges, universities, and other educational organizations. Each year, the College Board serves seven million students and their parents, 23,000 high schools, and 3,500 colleges through major programs and services in college admissions, guidance, assessment, financial aid, enrollment, and teaching and learning. Among its best-known programs are the SAT®, the PSAT/NMSQT®, and the Advanced Placement Program® (AP®). The College Board is committed to the principles of excellence and equity, and that commitment is embodied in all of its programs, services, activities, and concerns.
For more information, please contact the Public Affairs office at (212 )713-8052.