By Kris Freeman for White House High School

GALLATIN – White House High School was named one of nine Sumner County schools as a Reward School for 2017-18 in the Tennessee Department of Education.

A Reward School is recognized for academic achievement and growth, and there is no limit to the number of schools honored across the state. However, only approximately three percent of high schools were named to the list. A Reward School is determined by a school’s overall achievement score, overall growth score and historically underserved student populations (students with disabilities, economically disadvantaged, Black/Hispanic/Native American, and Black African-American).

For high schools, it also includes chronic absenteeism, graduations rate, college readiness and extra postsecondary opportunities.

White House High School offers a variety of advanced placement, dual enrollment and industry certifications. White House joins Westmoreland and Beech High School, along with Oakmont Elementary, Lakeside Elementary, Nannie Berry Elementary, Station Camp Elementary, T.W. Hunter Middle School and Merrol Hyde Magnet School in Sumner County to make the list.

It was the first time White House High School was named to this prestigious list. White House has 851 students and approximately 80 staff and employees.

“I am beyond proud of our faculty, staff and students,” said White House principal Ann Miller. “Their hard work and dedication is evident in everything they do. This is a well deserved achievement and we are focused on continual success and improvement for the future of White House High School.”

Lynne Hall teaches math at WHHS and is the lead educator for the school. She has been at White House for 19 years.

“Being a part of such an amazing team of teachers, students and administration is an honor and a blessing,” Hall said. “This achievement is a result of our collective focus on excellent outcomes for all students. Our culture of family at White House High, along with outstanding involvement and support from our community make this a great place for our students to grow.”

The faculty and administration of WHHS joined Principal Miller for an announcement Friday after school in the library, including Sumner County Board of Education member Ted Wise, who lives in White House and has served on the board for 10 years.

“I am extremely proud of the White House High School family, that includes administration, faculty, staff and students,” Wise said. “I appreciate all the parental support all our students received. They played a pivotal part in this recognition from the state.”

Scott Langford was also in attendance, after transitioning from his role as the principal of WHHS to the assistant director of schools for Sumner County this fall.

“I am very excited for the work of the students and teachers at White House High School,” Langford said. “They have overcome a lot of adversity and delivered the excellence that we always expect. I believe White House is even stronger now than it was last year.”

Jessica Watson teaches AP government and economics and this is her eighth year at the school and she serves as a teacher leader.

“I have always felt pride in being an alumnus and teacher of White House High School, so the fact that we are being recognized as a Reward School makes me even prouder,” Watson said. “The amount of hard work and dedication our students have put in over the years is now noticed by the entire state.

“This is an impressive feat and I feel lucky to be part of such a wonderful organization. I am looking forward to what we have accomplished in the future.”

Official Release from the Tennessee Department of Education

In accordance with Tennessee’s accountability system, as well as federal and state law, the Tennessee Department of Education names schools that are excelling as well as who need additional support.

Official Release Here

2018 was the first year the department has implemented its new school accountability system. The new framework is based on multiple indicators, similar to district accountability, and it is built on the principles that poverty is not destiny and the success of each student matters. Given that, in the new model, all schools are able to achieve Reward status, and there is no cap on the number of Reward schools. Reward schools are generally those that are improving in terms of achievement and growth for both all students and student groups.

Additional information about each of the designations can be found below.