We have just learned that Akron Early College High School has earned the prestigious “Blue Ribbon” designation from the U.S. Department of Education. The announcement was made by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. In a video presentation on Tuesday, Secretary Duncan said, “The 2013 Blue Ribbon Schools prove that demographics are not destiny. In America, we have islands of excellent schools, including schools serving disadvantaged populations and struggling neighborhoods. We need to shine a spotlight on excellent schools.”
The Akron Early College High School is one of the original Ohio Early College High School sites launched by KnowledgeWorks under a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Over the years, it has been supported by the EDWorks team and is one of our Fast Track Early College High School demonstration sites.
Located on the campus of the University of Akron, the Akron Early College High School was launched in fall 2007 and serves nearly 350 students who will be the first in their families to graduate from college. According to the 2012-13 state report card, the student population is 100% economically disadvantaged and 50% minority. On average, students graduate from the Akron Early College High School with 62 hours of college credit; the majority graduate from high school with an associate degree from the University of Akron. Earlier this year the Akron Early College High School was named among the top schools in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.
We proudly congratulate our colleagues at Akron Early College High School!