MRH celebrates two national awards

Monday morning Maplewood Richmond Heights High School students, teachers and administrators met at the theater to recognize two high-profile awards: one for the school and one for one of its science teachers.

As previously announced, MRH High School was one of only four schools nationally to receive a Gold Award from the National Center for Urban School Transformation (NCUST). Dr. Joseph Johnson, from the NCUST, presented a check for $5,000 and a banner to the school.

Johnson said a school needs test rates higher than state averages for all demographic groups, high attendance and graduation rates, low discipline rates, and evidence of excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to be considered.

He said there are more than 2,000 urban schools in the US. Around 200 each year meet the criteria to even be considered for the award.

“There are a lot of National Blue Ribbon Schools, schools on U.S. News and World Report’s list of America’s best high schools that don’t come close to meeting the rigorous academic criteria required for our award,” Johnson said.

MRH science teacher Kathleen Dwyer, in July received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. She was one of 108 science and math teachers nationally to receive the award this year. Dwyer traveled to Washington, D.C. to accept it from President Award Barack Obama.

“When I spoke with Barack, yes, I know him,” Dwyer said. “When I spoke with our president, that was the challenge he gave you students. Tell your students they have to work hard, they have to study hard; our country needs that. I believe in you, and all your teachers believe you.”