DeSoto County school honored as one of the nation's best
The four large blue ribbons tied around the front columns of Center Hill Middle School proudly announced the school as a National Blue Ribbon School. It is the highest award a United States public school can receive.
Center Hill Middle in Olive Branch was one of only 359 schools in the nation to be selected for the honor this year.
“There are roughly 130,000 schools across the United States. If you're doing the math, then you know that Center Hill Middle School is among the top 0.3 percent of schools across the nation. That is phenomenal,” said Carey Wright, Mississippi superintendent of education.
The National Blue Ribbon program began in 1982. In the past 36 years, about 8,500 schools have received the honor — about 70 are in Mississippi, and only two are in DeSoto County. Center Hill Middle now joins Center Hill Elementary, which was named a Blue Ribbon School in 2009.
The Mississippi Department of Education recommended Center Hill Middle for the award. The school was No. 3 in the state in reading and math proficiency, No. 1 in the state in reading growth and No. 3 in math growth for the 2016-17 school year. The school has also received an "A" rating from the Mississippi Department of Education for five consecutive years.
The Blue Ribbon award not only recognizes academic excellence but also looks carefully at how schools close the achievement gap in different demographics. National Blue Ribbon Schools are welcoming to students of all backgrounds, and every student is given the tools and resources to master challenging curricula.
“I am a firm believer that all students are capable of succeeding when they are challenged to reach high standards and provided with quality teaching and support," Wright said. "Center Hill Middle School is a model for the entire state because you have proven that all students can learn and achieve at the highest levels.”
During her student-led tour, Wright said, it was very easy to see why Center Hill Middle is a Blue Ribbon School.
“The student that led my group around the school really understood the curriculum ... when we went to the school’s computer lab, she was able to explain all the technology and skills," Wright said. "These are life-long skills being taught well."
Center Hill Middle Principal Larry Hood said the recommendation from the state took him by surprise as he is relatively new to the school. He said he relied on his teachers, administrators and staff to help him gather pages of information about the school’s history, community and many extracurricular activities to be sent to the U.S. Department of Education.
“A school is only as strong as its weakest teacher. I can tell you, we have no weak teachers," Hood said. "Each person on this team has a passion for helping every student be the best he or she can be."
Center Hill Middle opened in 2009. The school’s first principal, Doug Payne, is now principal of Center Hill High School. Nick Toungett then served as principal for one year before moving to head up Horn Lake Middle School. The third principal, Jacob Stripling, was at Center Hill Middle for three years, before becoming principal of Olive Branch High School.
“It’s great for Center Hill Middle and a testament to the teachers, administrators and community here,” said Cory Uselton, DeSoto County superintendent of schools. “It really shows what a school can do when everyone works together: the school, the community, the school board and the local politicians.”
The event at the school was also attended by the school’s past principals, the principals of the school’s two feeder schools, Olive Branch Mayor Scott Phillips, Olive Branch Chief of Police Don Gammage, state Sen. David Parker, Olive Branch Alderman Pat Hamilton, the DeSoto County School Board, representatives of the DeSoto County Sheriff's Department and other prominent community members.