May is a time when teachers and students are able to recognize and take pride in the results of their efforts throughout the year.  From end-of-the-year tests, to culminating projects, to musical competitions and performances, to college acceptance and scholarships, evidence of student achievement is visible across our schools.  Our graduating seniors, whose accomplishments represent what we—together with parents and family--have been working towards over their time in our schools, are perhaps the most rewarding group to watch.

This year, Mount Vernon High School introduced a Distinguished Scholar Award to recognize all students with a cumulative grade point average of 4.0 or better.  With the decision two years ago to give additional weight to Advanced Placement (AP) courses in determining class valedictorians and salutatorians, this award has provided a way to recognize high achieving students who may otherwise be overlooked.  (Advanced Placement courses offer a challenging, nationally standardized curriculum recognized by 90% of colleges and universities in the United States.  As of the 2009-10 school year, students will have access to 11 AP classes in a wide variety of areas including history, government, English, math, science, and world languages.)

At the recent Mount Vernon High School Senior Celebration, 19 students were recognized as Distinguished Scholars.  Maintaining a 4.0 grade point average is difficult at best.  However, given our high school's block schedule (where students take more classes than in a traditional 6-period day), it is even more challenging. 

But what about grade inflation?  Isn't it possible that at least some of these students took easier courses to boost or maintain their grade point average?  That's a fair question yet the data tells a different story.  Each of these 19 students has taken at least two AP classes.  Together, they have taken a combined total of 81 AP courses, or over 4 courses per student.  Students looking to inflate their grade point averages don't gravitate to challenging college preparatory courses.

Do these students truly reflect the Mount Vernon school system or did most of them arrive at our high school from other K-8 public and private schools in the area?  Conway School and Immaculate Conception Regional School provide an excellent education for students through 8^th grade.  And yes, some of our Distinguished Scholars attended these schools before enrolling in Mount Vernon High School.  However, over two-thirds (68%) came from our middle schools, including both of the valedictorians and one of our two salutatorians.

We all know results are what count and there's no better measure of the results of an educational system than the skills, knowledge, and accomplishments of its graduates.  On June 5, our Distinguished Scholars will join their classmates for the final ritual of their K-12 educational career.  They will go on to do great things, and we wish them all the best in the years to come!