State Superintendent Recognizes Crab Orchard High School
Matt Hawkins, Marion Daily Republican
March 29, 2009
Crab Orchard, Ill. -
Crab Orchard High School received a 2008 Academic Improvement
Award from state superintendent of education Dr. Christopher A.
Koch Monday morning.
"We're excited about the award," COHS principal William McSparin
said. "Hard work went into the academic improvement by staff,
guidance counselors, students and parents."
COHS was one of 28 high schools in the state to receive an Academic
Improvement Award, which recognized schools that show increased
testing scores for at least three years, with an overall jump of 15
percent in that time or a 7.5 percent increase on the most recent
tests.
In 2006, 37 percent of COHS students to take the Prairie State
Achievement Exam met or exceeded standards. Fifty-four percent of
the students met the mark in 2008.
"This goes to show students in a small school can still get a
quality education," school superintendent Derek Hutchins said.
"This speaks highly of the staff, community and students."