From Harford County Public Schools:
Joppatowne High School has been selected as a national High Schools That Work (HSTW) Pacesetter School by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB). Joppatowne High was one of only 30 HSTW schools and Technology Centers That Work (TCTW) centers in the nation and the only school in the Maryland HSTW Network to receive the 2010 Pacesetter Award. This award is based on the success of local school leaders and teachers in improving school practices and raising student achievement.
Joppatowne High School has participated in the Maryland HSTW Network since 2004. To be recognized as an HSTW Pacesetter School, schools must meet a variety of criteria. Pacesetter schools deeply implement the HSTW design, teach students a rigorous academic curriculum linked to a program of study, have high student achievement, and have a high graduation rate or meet the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) criteria of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
Joppatowne High School is a “pacesetter” in Career and Technology Education as the first high school in the nation to offer a program of study in homeland security and emergency preparedness. Students in this program have the opportunity to study cyber-security and geospatial intelligence. The graduating class of 2010 included the homeland security program’s first graduates.
“We believe that everyday provides the gift of a new adventure, and it is our responsibility to create the experience,” said Frank P. Mezzanotte, coordinator of magnet programs for Harford County Public Schools. “We were fortunate enough to start the Homeland Security Program well before the Base Closure and Realignment (BRAC) occurred, and we targeted areas of major interests to both Aberdeen Proving Ground and government contractors that are coming into our community. We are the conduit for workforce readiness, and we are proud to recieve the honor of a Pacesetter School.”
The award was presented to the school at the 24th Annual HSTW Staff Development Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, on July 14, 2010, by President of the SREB Dave Spence. The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) partners with SREB to implement the HSTW initiative to support Maryland schools in their improvement efforts.
As the largest SREB program, HSTW is a national, comprehensive school improvement design based on the premise that most students can master rigorous academic and career/technical studies if school leaders and teachers create a school environment that motivates all students to succeed. More than 1,200 high schools in 30 states and the District of Columbia participate in the HSTW school improvement initiative.
Great Job Joppatowne HS, keep up the good work!