Valley Park School District
District News and Events
Valley Park High School is named a Missouri Gold Star School
Celebrating Gold at VPHS
Valley Park High School (VPHS) student leaders, administrators and lead teachers celebrate their school's Gold Star status. From left, are (front row), National Honor Society President John Hagele (senior); Valley Park High School Principal Randie Fidler (center) and Student Council President Courtney Kraus (senior); and (back row), Jean McGinnis (family/consumer science); Joe Dierks (social studies); Bill Hepper (science); Todd Minichiello (guidance counseling); Becky Weidenbenner (communication arts); Katie Libby (business education) and Sonya Deterding (mathematics). Fidler received the Missouri Gold Star School Award plaque at an awards ceremony co-hosted by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Cooperating School Districts.
Recently, Valley Park High School (VPHS) received the coveted Missouri Gold Star School Award. VPHS is one of only two schools in the St. Louis area,
and one of eight state-wide, to be recognized as a high-performing school.
In her announcement, Commissioner of Education Chris L. Nicastro, said, “These eight high schools are noteworthy examples of excellence in education across the state of Missouri. This recognition is attributed to the commitment of students, parents and staff to educational success.” In February, Valley Park High School was nominated for the national Blue Ribbon Award. Eligible schools must undergo an extensive application process which focuses on student achievement results. Blue Ribbon recognition will be announced in the fall by the U.S. Department of Education.
Valley Park High School Principal Randie Fidler lists a number of achievements for the school in the last few years. U.S. News and World Report named Valley Park High School among “America’s Best High Schools” for three consecutive years. In 2009, VPHS was listed as a “Top 10” High Performing School by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Also, the average ACT score for VPHS students in the state’s college entrance exam has exceeded the state’s average ACT score of 21.6, as well as the national average for the years 2008 through 2010. Fidler said, “We are pleased to be one of a select few high schools in the state that have received the prestigious Missouri Gold Star Award. Our teachers and staff share in providing excellence in education while focusing on student achievement. I commend our students for their high performance.”
Established in 1991, by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Gold Star Program is designed to identify schools that are performing at a high level academically or making exceptional progress while serving a significant proportion of disadvantaged students.
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