WILDWOOD — It will be a blue ribbon day at Wildwood High School the afternoon of Nov. 21 when a celebration of historic proportion takes place as the school raises a banner and hangs a plaque noting it stands shoulder-to-shoulder with other schools throughout the nation that celebrate academic excellence.
An invitation has been issued to alumni, government and school officials, current and past staff members, parents and all residents of the cities of Wildwood and North Wildwood in addition to the boroughs of Wildwood Crest and West Wildwood as the school celebrates its recognition as a coveted National Blue Ribbon School for 2013. Wildwood High is only one of three comprehensive high schools in the state of New Jersey to receive the award this year and is the only high school in Cape May County to ever be dubbed one of America’s best.
Christopher Armstrong, principal of Wildwood High School, promised a memorable afternoon for the entire Five Mile Island. “Because it’s an award for the high school, it includes the sending districts,” he explained.
“We want people to join in our celebration and participate,” said Armstrong. “We also want them to know of the accomplishments the students and the staff of Wildwood High School have achieved over the past five years.”
Being named a U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School is a five-year process. “We won the award for exemplary improvement,” noted Josepha Penrose, Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction for Wildwood Public Schools.
To make the day even more special, fun activities have been planned for the 253 high school’s students as well as eighth grade. “We’re going to bring the students down to the auditorium. There will be speeches, the choir will sing and then we’re going to go outside,” said Armstrong.
Once outside, the school’s National Blue Ribbon School flag will be raised. The flag will be presented to representatives from the school on Nov. 19 in Washington, D.C.
The 107 graduating classes from the school include an impressive list of alumni that boasts physicians, attorneys, politicians, judges, military officers, entrepreneurs, professional athletes and professional coaches. Even a Super Bowl champion has walked the halls. A large percentage of teachers in the Wildwood Public School District call Wildwood High School their alma mater.
Mayor Ernie Troiano, a 1969 graduate of Wildwood High School, said, “Those of
us who bleed maroon and white always knew this day could, and would, happen. We are extremely proud of our school.”
“This is a once in a lifetime event,” said Penrose. “That’s how we look at it.”
The city is already abuzz with excitement about the school being named to the prestigious list. A large billboard from Crest Savings Bank congratulating the school as a National Blue Ribbon School greets visitors who enter the city via Route 47.
The school was nominated for the honor of being a national Blue Ribbon School by NJ Commissioner of Education Chris Cerf.
Data from the past four years’ student performance is reviewed. Once that data is given the nod by the U.S. Department of Education, the onus of maintaining the same level of improvement for the 2012-2013 school year was placed on the school. In a system of checks and double checks, the state must certify the data before it is sent to the federal department of education.
For this small, seaside school the honor of receiving our nation’s highest academic award is an affirmation of the school’s mission – to provide an individualized education to each of its students.
“It shows that the students here are not defined by their first language or by their economic status,” Armstrong said. He added the national accolade not only honors the students and their hard work but the support the student body receives from the staff and the Wildwoods community.
“We’re too small to leave even one student behind,” said the principal. “This truly is a place where everybody knows your name.”
The Wildwood High School National Blue Ribbon School celebration will take place Thurs., Nov. 21 at 1 p.m. in the school’s auditorium. The school is located at 4300 Pacific Ave. Information can be obtained by contacting the school at 609-522-7922, extension 2427 or via email at jpenrose@wwschools.org
A copy of the school’s National Blue Ribbon School application can be found at:
http://www.nationalblueribbonschools.com/summarydocs/2013/nj/wildwood-high-school-13nj1.html
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