On Nov. 5, McClintock was named the National Title One Distinguished School of the Year for Arizona.
Title One is a federal program put into effect by former President Lyndon Johnson in 1964 that gives money to schools based on poverty rate. The money can be used for supplemental programs for students in academic need.
“We have three different programs; math lab, reading strategies, and reading intervention,” Principal Derek Hoffland said.
Assistant Principal and Registrar Bill Hazell wrote a three-page essay describing how much McClintock has grown as a school.
“Through remediation, smaller class sizes, and best practices, McClintock has been able to keep students on pace with their current grade-level curriculum while strengthening the basic skills necessary for prolonged success. Through the collaborative efforts of McClintock’s staff, students, and parents, students in the Title One program earn their high school diploma and continue on to post-secondary educational opportunities,” according to an excerpt from the essay.
To qualify for this award, the school had to be eligible in one of two categories in National Title one which are: Category 1: Exceptional student performance for two or more consecutive years; or, Category 2: Closing the achievement gap between students. McClintock qualified under both and won under the first category.
“McClintock was the only school in Arizona that met both categories. Out of 53 schools who applied, six were finalists,” Hoffland said.
McClintock, being one of the finalists, received a visit from Arizona Department of Education (ADE) representatives on Oct. 15.
“A couple of weeks later, on Nov. 5, I received a call informing me that we’d won. I’m proud of our teachers and students,” Hoffland said.
The school was recognized in Tucson on Nov. 19 at the state-wide Title One conference and will be honored in Salt Lake City at the national convention in the Spring.
At the Wed., Dec. 3rd Tempe Union High School school board meeting, the school was recognized and congratulated for this honor.
The school will have a celebration, as well, later in the school year.