Forty high schools across West Virginia recognized for outstanding efforts to help students plan for college
ROANOKE, W.Va. – Principals, counselors, and staff from 40 high schools across West Virginia were recognized on Friday, October 11th, for their efforts to inform students of higher education opportunities after graduation. The “Champion of College Access and Success” recognition awards are annually presented by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the Council for Community and Technical Education to select schools that foster a college and career readiness culture within their communities.
Representatives from the Champion schools attended an award ceremony at Stonewall Resort in conjunction with a statewide summit focused on affordable college and career pathways. The three-day summit culminated with this celebration, where Champion school representatives networked with higher education professionals to share their best practices, as well as challenges students are facing when deciding to pursue postsecondary education.
“The Champion for College Access and Success award recognizes schools and administrators who go the extra mile to ensure students have the tools and resources to be successful in their education endeavors after high school,” said Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginia’s Chancellor of Higher Education. “Despite challenges related to the new FAFSA, these Champion schools understand that education beyond high school is vital to student success – and I am so grateful for their tireless work to help their students succeed.”
For high schools to be considered a Champion of College Access and Success, they must participate in and meet specific criteria for three college-planning milestone events during the school year:
- College Application and Exploration Week
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Completion Campaign
- College Decision Day Initiative
Each milestone has specific components to help college-bound students in West Virginia prepare for and transition to college. The Higher Education Policy Commission and the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical Education provide financial aid and college application information, training and support to high schools, and event-planning assistance.
The schools receiving the Champion recognition this year are:
- Cabell Midland High School
- Cameron High School
- Chapmanville Regional High School
- Cross Lanes Christian School
- Doddridge County High School
- Fairmont Senior High School
- Frankfort High School
- George Washington High School
- Greenbrier East High School
- Hannan High School
- Herbert Hoover High School
- Hurricane High School
- Jefferson High School
- Liberty High School
- Lincoln County High School
- Madonna High School
- Man Senior High School
- Mingo Central Comprehensive High School
- Paw Paw High School
- Pendleton County Middle / High School
- Poca High School
- Point Pleasant Junior / Senior High School
- Ravenswood High School
- Richwood High School
- Ripley High School
- Scott High School
- Shady Spring High School
- Sheman High School
- Sissonville High School
- Spring Valley High School
- St. Marys High School
- Teays Valley Christian School
- Tucker County High School
- Tug Valley High School
- Tyler Consolidated High School
- University High School
- Van Junior / Senior High School
- Wayne High School
- Webster County High School
- Winfield High School
For more information about Champions of College Access and Success and college planning events, visit the College for West Virginia website at cfwvconnect.com/champion.
College for West Virginia is the student services face of the Higher Education Policy Commission and the Council for Community and Technical Education.
To view photos from the awards ceremony, click here.
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