MEDIA CONTACT: Sherry Thomas
561-297-2328, sthomas@fau.edu

FAU’s Henderson School Honored as a Top High-Performing School

BOCA RATON, FL (September 13, 2006) – Florida Atlantic University’s A.D. Henderson University School was recognized recently by Florida Education Commissioner John Winn as a top high-performing combination school.  The state’s top high-performing 100 elementary schools, 75 middle schools, 50 high schools and 50 combination schools were recognized based on the total points the schools received on the school grading criteria during the 2005-2006 academic year.  There are 242 combination schools in Florida.  A school is considered a combination school if it offers instruction for students in grades k-12.  Of the 50 combination schools honored, Henderson ranked 15^th.

“This recognition of excellence is a reflection of the daily hard work of our students, the expertise of the school’s faculty and the commitment of our student’s families,” said Glenn Thomas, executive director for Pre – K-Grade 12 Schools and Programs at FAU’s College of Education.  “Student success at high levels is both expected and fostered through focus and innovation.”

As part of the grading criteria, schools were awarded one point for each percent of students who scored high on the Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) and/or made significant annual learning gains.  The recognition is part of the Florida School Recognition program that was created by the Florida Legislature in 1997 to provide public recognition and financial awards to schools that have sustained high student performance or that demonstrate substantial improvement in student performance.  This is the sixth year that Henderson School has earned a school grade of “A”.  The school will receive $100 for each full-time student.  The award funds can be used for non-recurring teacher bonuses or as determined by the school advisory council.      

Henderson is a public school administered through the College of Education of Florida Atlantic University.  It provides instruction to approximately 620 students in grades k-8 and to talented high school students.  Admission to A. D. Henderson University School is by lottery using student gender, race, family income and student ability to match the school’s student profile to that of the state. 

For more information and applications for A.D. Henderson University School or FAU High go to www.adhus.fau.edu or www.coe.fau.edu/fau-high.

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