BHS once again recognIzed as one of nation's best

Last week U.S News and World Report came out with its list of top schools in the nation.

Included on that list is Byron High School.

Principal Steve Willman said that having the school recognized in that way is a true honor.

“It is truly an honor to be recognized for the work our staff and students do each year,” said Willman. “ We have consistently received this honor and were recognized as being one of the top 500 high schools in the nation in 2017,” he added.

Although the recognition has a lot to do with test scores, Willman explained that the school goes way beyond just that.

“The measures are closely related to test scores and Advanced Placement access,” Willman said. “Beyond the measures in this honor we are working on creating and enhancing experiences to make learning more authentic that go beyond the test scores.”

Through their profile of a graduate course, they feel that they are putting their students in a position to get real world experiences in many different ways, and they are continuing to build partnerships that are real world related especially for the area.

“Through our profile of a graduate, new course offerings we are giving our students exposure to deeper and more relevant learning,” Willman said. “ Courses like the Certified Nursing Assistant, Firefighter, and our new Intro to Business and Culinary Arts offering we are having our students do real life learning,” Willman said. “In the Fall, our accounting class is also doing a cost benefit analysis on our 16-acre plot of land where we are growing two varieties of corn with the help of local farmers,” he added.

Willman said that being able to offer students these opportunities is something so important for their futures.

“We know that enhancing our student experience will better prepare our students for their future,” Willman said.
Willman explained that the honor that the school received directly reflects the commitment to learning from everyone involved.

“Our community, parents, students and staff take learning seriously and will continue to work to prepare students for their future through rigorous, relevant learning,” Willman said. “Our staff reflect on the impact of their practice, support students through the learning process and will continue to care for our students. This means beyond just test scores,” he said.

Willman said, “Though important, we also care for the whole child and recognize that our students are more than test scores. Not all learning can be represented on a multiple choice test given once a year. Their future success will also be determined by their ability to utilize skills like: creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, citizenship, character and communication as well as core knowledge.”

Willman said that they know colleges and employers expect these skills and are confident that Byron students will be prepared once they cross the graduation stage.

“Colleges and future employers will expect these skills and understandings in our students and are a central focus of the Byron Profile of a Graduate,” Willman said.