Pineville Middle School earns distinct honor

(The principal of Pineville Middle School is our own Deirdre Bradford Cline, OHS Class of 1982. N. Carroll Brown, OHS Class of 1967, also teaches at the school.)

Pineville Middle School has been named a No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School — one of only three in West Virginia and only 287 across the United States — and will be among those honored during ceremonies in Washington D.C. as well as Charleston this week.

A community celebration is scheduled Friday, Nov. 16, at 10 a.m. in the school, and is open to all parents and community members.

"The students and teachers at these schools should be very proud of their achievement," emphasized state Schools Superintendent Steve Paine. "They will serve as role models for the rest of the state and for the entire country."

Schools must be invited to apply, explained principal Deirdre Cline. It was nearly a year-long process that included the entire staff, she noted.

"It was a tremendous effort," she emphasized.

"I thought we had a chance when we were invited to participate," she said. "I see people work hard here every day, but a national award is a whole other level.

"I knew we had a chance because I know the kind of students we have, the kind of parents and the staff, and the kind of community support this school gets," Cline said.

The program recognizes schools whose students — whether from disadvantaged or privileged backgrounds — achieve in the top 10 percent on state tests or in the top 10 percent of the country on nationally-normed tests, according to information from the West Virginia Department of Education.

To be chosen, schools must make adequate yearly progress (AYP) in reading and language arts and mathematics, as well as have at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that dramatically improve student performance to a high level on state tests.

"Your school was chosen for this award because of its efforts to ensure that every child learns and that no child is left behind," said Margaret Spellings, secretary of education for the U. S. Department of Education.

"Pineville Middle School is a school that sets high educational standards and motivates students to excel," emphasized county Schools Superintendent Frank Blackwell. "I am very pleased that the U. S. Department of Education has acknowledged the quality of instruction and the achievement of the students in their recognition of Pineville Middle School...

"It's a very high honor to be recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School. I am truly proud to say Pineville Middle School is a Wyoming County school."