I recently had the great opportunity to tour Ashley Ridge High School as part of The Education Foundation’s EDGE Academies initiative. If you’re not familiar with this program, you’re not alone, and that’s why I’m writing this.
First, I have to give credit to the principal of ARHS, Ms. Radcliffe, whose enthusiastic, educational tour of the school was very inspiring. Having been the principal since the school first opened in 2008, you can see the passion and personal investment that Ms. Radcliffe pours into her job every day. Her commitment to her students’ success is evident, and I’m sure carries over to her staff and faculty; and, in turn, to those students in what are some of the most important years of their personal development. Ms. Radcliffe mentioned that they are awaiting the announcement of whether they will be awarded a Palmetto’s Finest Award next month and I do hope to be able to congratulate her on winning this esteemed award.
Now, back to what prompted my post…
EDGE Academies are, as the Education Foundation states on their website, “schools within schools that have a career theme.” The Academies focus on Health Professions, Hospitality & Culinary Arts, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), with different high schools offering one or more academy choices. So, there it is, that’s the very basic definition of the EDGE Academies (find out more at www.edfound.net/edge-academies). What got me thinking this morning was something Ms. Radcliffe said in regard to the marketability of these programs, and many other great things going on within the school, that just does not get the much-needed positive publicity required to advance beyond what is already accomplished. For instance, at North Charleston High School, where another group toured this morning, the Chef Instructor of their Culinary Arts Academy proudly showed off their spectacular, state-of-the-art kitchen – which was described by the visitors as being even better than most kitchens found in Charleston’s award-winning restaurants. The kitchen has been toured by out-of-state visitors who are trying to mimic the same academic programs in their own districts. At Ashley Ridge, Ms. Radcliffe shared that the softball field, which is maintained by students taking horticulture classes, was ranked #1 in a national competition of high school sports fields. Just as impressive, at Goose Creek High School, one of the members who toured shared her experience of talking with one of the students who told her about coming in 2nd place (in an engineering/technical competition) to SPAWAR. Ranking second, as high school students, compared to highly educated & trained (and paid) professionals from SPAWAR is not something to be ashamed of.
These are just a few of the stories shared today and I’m sure there are many more out there that just are not getting the recognition they deserve. In a time when it seems we hear such bad press about our schools (be it graduation rates, lack of funding, or undeniably tragic violence), it was so refreshing to hear such positive strides being made by the students, their teachers and principals.
So, what can you take from this (other than to learn about the EDGE Academies and look for ways to get involved yourself or as a company)? Remember that when you have a good experience, share that news as much as (or even more often) than you do the negative! Especially now with the ability to share your experiences instantly with sites like Twitter or Facebook, a positive recommendation can have an immediate impact on a deserving business. Statistics vary on how many people share the good versus the bad, most are 1-2 good to 8-9 bad, and that does nothing to help encourage the students like those we met today to know that what they’re doing is for the better.
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