90 Percent Latino High School In Running For President’s Speech

A high school in rural Washington state with 90 percent Latino enrollment, and a majority of seniors who are the first in their families to graduate from high school, is in the running to have President Barack Obama speak at its commencement ceremony.

Bridgeport High School, in Bridgeport Washington, was selected as a finalist for this year’s Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge. The Challenge, according to a White House press release,

…invited the nation’s public high schools to submit applications that demonstrate their commitment to preparing students for college and a career.   Hundreds of applications were received and were judged based on the schools’ performance, essay questions and supplemental data. The six finalists were selected for their creativity in engaging and supporting students, academic results, and progress in preparing students to graduate college and career ready.

The other finalists are:

·Wayne Early Middle College High School (Goldsboro, North Carolina)

·Booker T. Washington High School (Memphis, Tennessee)

·Science Park High School (Newark, New Jersey)

·Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12, School for Creative and Performing Arts (Pittsburgh, PA)

·High Tech High International (San Diego, CA)

Each of the finalist schools submitted a video that highlighted how it best fulfilled the Challenge criteria;

The President will select a national winner from these three finalists and will visit the winning high school to deliver the commencement later this spring.

From what we know the winning school should hear about their selection today.

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