Success Academy Ranked Best in Nation
Published: August 24, 2015 | Author: Tommy Gugino | Read Time: 2 minutes
Success Academy, located on the campus of Southern Utah University, earned the title of number one, low-income high school in the country according to Newsweek Magazine’s “Beating the Odds” list.
The list, which ranks 500 high schools across the nation, seeks to identify schools that prepare their students for college while also overcoming obstacles posed by students at an economic disadvantage. According to Newsweek, Success Academy has a 44.9 percent poverty rate with a 100 percent graduation rate and college-bound rate.
Shannon Dulaney, superintendent of the Iron County School District, said of the achievement, “There’s a sense of pride and validation with this award. We’re so thankful for the partnership with SUU and as we move forward we hope to continue forward with the progress."
The program, which is a partnership between Iron County School District and SUU, allows students to accumulate up to 60 collegiate credits starting their first year of high school until they graduate from high school, which 90 percent of students at Success complete each year.
John Tripp, Success Academy principal, said of the students in Success, “Students are challenged with that collegiate curriculum but they build relationships through the school that help support them in attempting that. Our students also value the opportunities they have to be on this campus and engage with professors.”
On a separate chart, Newsweek also ranked Success Academy as number 18 in America’s Top High Schools 2015 overall.
Tripp said it’s great to receive recognition for the work they’re doing, which he said would not be possible without the community.
“In the future we’re going to continue to work with SUU and Iron County School District (ICSD) to provide opportunities for students. Without the partnership between SUU and ICSD this program would not be possible in such a rural community,” stated Tripp.
Photo: Principal John Tripp with a few Success Academy students.
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