West Branch High School earns National Blue Ribbon

BELOIT

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognized West Branch High School as a National Blue Ribbon School — one of four Ohio high schools to earn the award.

To be considered for the honor, Principal Brian Coffee submitted a summary to the United States Department of Education explaining why the school is an excellent place to learn and achieve. He mentioned its 96 percent graduation rate, as well as meeting 100 percent of the objectives that measure the “closing the achievement gap” element for school ratings. All of the staff members at West Branch High School are highly qualified teachers, all possess a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and nearly 72 percent possess master’s degrees. Coffee explained how the school is a focal point for the community because of the many community organizations that support the school, as well as students and staff that volunteer in the community.

National Blue Ribbon Schools are public and private elementary, middle and high schools chosen based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. More than 7,500 of schools across the country have been presented with the award.

“We are very proud of our students and staff here at West Branch High School for all of their hard work and dedication to the success of our school,” Coffee said in a news release. “We are excited to be one out of 48 high schools across the country and one of four schools in the state of Ohio to receive this award.”