Georgia Southern University to Award 2011 High Flying Schools at National Conference

February 9, 2011

Georgia Southern University will honor five schools as High Flying Schools for 2011 based on academic achievement and commitment to community collaboration and citizenship. The schools will be recognized at the 22nd annual National Youth-At-Risk Conference at 8:45 a.m. Monday, March 7, at the Hyatt Regency in Savannah, Ga.

High Flying Schools are highly diverse and have at least 50 percent of students living at or below poverty level. Winners are selected for showing outstanding academic achievement, collaboration with the local community, democratic education programs and a focus on citizenship development. In addition to L.M Smith, The 2011 national winners are L.M. Smith Middle School, Birmingham, Ala.; Pauline Jones Elementary School, Fayetteville, N.C; McKinley Elementary School, Newark, N.J.; Parkland Magnet High School, Winston Salem, N.C.; and Wilkinson County Middle School, Irwinton, Ga.

“We started the High Flying Schools competition to showcase the high-performing, high-poverty schools that are overcoming the odds in spite of challenging conditions,” said Dan Rea, the National Youth-At-Risk Conference co-chairperson. “These schools go beyond pursuit of academic excellence to inspire students to become active participants in their community — not merely passive recipients.”

Schools are self-nominated for the nationwide competition and five are selected for the honor each year. Winning schools receive a $1,000 travel honorarium and paid conference registration/lodging for two in Savannah. This year’s event, themed “Successful Programs for Empowering Youth: Overcoming Poverty, Violence and Failure,” will provide practical strategies for improving achievement, building children’s character, encouraging creativity and individuality and overcoming communication barriers often faced in schools with at-risk children.

The Savannah-based conference is the nation’s most comprehensive event in relation to achievement and success for at-risk youth. It addresses a wide variety of risk factors — such as academic failure, lack of motivation, learning disabilities, behavioral problems, drug problems, teenage pregnancy and unstable homes — which can affect youth of all races and levels of socioeconomic status. More information is available at www.nationalyouthatrisk.com or for registration call toll free, 1-855-478-5551.