ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - For Elasha Colby, it was an extraordinary day to be a student at Aberdeen High School (AHS). "The name `Aberdeen' doesn't always seem to mean as much as other schools in this county," said Elasha, 16, a senior. "So this really means a lot to our school. It's a great opportunity for us."
Elasha was referring to a special ceremony last Friday morning, Jan. 17, at which AHS was named "School of the Year" by the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) for outstanding results on Advanced Placement (AP) math, science and English exams. AHS, which was selected out of 465 schools around the country vying for the honor, was presented the award by NMSI and The Boeing Co., the local program sponsor, at a celebration in the school's gymnasium attended by more than 500 students, faculty, administrators and family members.
Havre de Grace High School was also recognized that day by NSMI for producing exceptional AP results. A non-profit organization launched in 2007, NMSI has received national praise for improving student performances and training teachers from grades 3-12.
AHS is home to the Science and Mathematics Academy magnet program coordinated by Harford County Public Schools.
Because AHS is a military-impacted school and a large percentage of its students come from Team APG families, also in attendance at the ceremony were APG Garrison Commander Col. Gregory R. McClinton; Gary Martin, acting director of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM); Jeffrey Singleton from the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research and Technology; Jyuiji Hewett, APG STEM champion and deputy director of the U.S. Army Research Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM); Command Sergeant Major Lebert Beharie of RDECOM; and Col. Rich Morales, executive director of Joining Forces.
"As you know, APG is a leader in STEM, not only in our initiatives to partner with our communities and educational institutions, but also within our various organizations and their daily activities," said Col. Gregory R. McClinton. "It's a great honor for both Aberdeen High School, as the National School of the Year, and Havre de Grace to receive such great recognition, especially since dependants of Service Members, Civilians and our contract workforce played a role in the schools earning the recognition."
AHS received the award after students and teachers achieved unprecedented gains in AP scores in 2012-2013. The previous academic year marked the first time that AHS participated in NMSI's Comprehensive AP program, which provides teacher training and support, additional time on task for students, incentives and other tools for improving teacher effectiveness and student readiness in AP and pre-AP coursework. Last year, the 52 schools in the NMSI program for military families experienced a 67 percent increase in passing math, science and English AP scores.
At AHS, the average first year increase in the number of passing scores was 137 percent, 19 times the national average. More than 160 AHS students excelled in the NMSI exams.
"We're pretty hard on our students," said AHS Principal Michael O'Brien. "But I've never worked with a more dedicated group of educators." He added, "This celebration would not be possible without Boeing and the National Math and Science Initiative, which helped provide that spark."
Among the speakers at the ceremony was Dr. Patricia Falcone, associate director for National Security and International Affairs in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. While speaking of the importance of STEM studies in today's global economy, she encouraged students to seek well-rounded educations.
"It's really impressive to start to transform the culture of a school, and that's what we have here today," she told APG News. "What's so great about this NMSI program and the implementation by teachers is that it encourages all kinds of kids to try hard. That's how you get those numbers, that increase. A lot more students tried these hard classes and stuck with it, passed the tests -- all in one year. ... Hard work pays off, and kids need that encouragement.
"In a democracy in a complex world, all of our citizens really have to have some technology literacy to be able to listen to arguments and come to decisions and be employees in the global community," Dr. Falone said. If President Obama had been in attendance, she said he would have told AHS students that "he's proud of them for working hard and we're counting on them to continue this great country."
Students who pass NMSI exams are three times more likely to graduate college than those who do not, according to Gregg Fleisher, NMSI's chief academic officer. He said the number of passing exams in math, science and English at AHS increased from 186 to 441 in 2013.
"This program has been around for over 20 years," he said. "But in the history of this program, there has never been a one-year increase for a school like the Aberdeen Eagles did last year. Never. ... We're thrilled to support this school, this district and this community's efforts. It's really fantastic."
APG contractor David Patrick, who works in the PEO-C3T office, attended the ceremony with his wife, Diana. Their son, Matthew, 15, is an AHS sophomore.
"He told us about this celebration, and we're really glad we came. It's really exciting for us," David Patrick said. "We're very impressed."
Diana Patrick said she's proud to be an AHS parent. "We knew Aberdeen would be the right place for our son," she said. "It's just a great program."
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