Head of School Newsletter

Dear Students, Parents/Guardians, and Friends of Herron High School,

I am pleased to say that following the recent national recognition Herron received by The Washington Post and U.S. News and World Report, Newsweek has released their 2013 list of America’s top performing high schools, once again placing Herron in the ranks of the nation’s best schools. While the focus of the Washington Post ranking is to recognize schools with open enrollment policies that serve ALL students regardless of previous academic performance (they do this by omitting schools exclusively for the gifted and talented or that have entrance exam requirements, then rank those schools in a separate list) both U.S. News and Newsweek include the “elite public schools” in the ranking process. The fact that Herron High School ranks in the top 5% of schools nationwide – even when competing with the nation’s most elite high schools – should be a source of great pride for our community.

We hope that all of our students and families appreciate and take the fullest advantage of the educational opportunities offered at Herron High School.  As students are finalizing schedules for next year, we hope each of them chooses the challenge of Advanced Placement courses or courses designed to prepare him or her for taking AP courses later in their high school career. With our projected graduation rate shaping up to be an outstanding 96% this year, graduating students who have chosen the most rigorous coursework will be entering college with many academic advantages, and those with successful AP exams scores will benefit from reduced tuition costs by bringing college credit acquired in high school with them.

I am also delighted to tell you that the Indiana Classical Conference (ICC) and the Indiana Foreign Language Teacher’s Association (IFLTA) have chosen Ms. Rebecca Bush, one of Herron High School’s Latin teachers, as their 2013 Teacher of The Year. In making the announcement, Jody Bergman, President of the ICC, said, “Ms. Bush was chosen as Teacher of the Year because she has distinguished herself among her ICC classical colleagues. Ms. Bush inspires her students to stretch their minds both in the classroom and through her extra-curricular endeavors. Being an outstanding teacher, leader, and sponsor have earned Ms. Bush this prestigious award. Herron High School is a true beacon and example to which other schools can look up to and a success to strive toward.” Ms. Bush will be recognized at the annual ICC business meeting during the IFLTA Conference October 17^th – October 19th, 2013. She will also be recognized at the IFLTA business luncheon on at this conference.

Congratulations Ms. Bush! On behalf of the entire Herron High School community, we are grateful for your classical expertise and devotion to student opportunity and enrichment. Your participation and sponsorship of students in the ICC plays a vital role in our classical, liberal mission, and you and your fellow faculty members sustain our student achievements. This recognition is well deserved!

Sincerely,

Janet H. McNeal, Head of School

Complete newsletter here: 5.11.2013