Walhalla High School and Tamassee-Salem High School are among 25 schools in the southern region to be selected as national recipients of the High Schools That Work (HSTW) award.

The award, based on the success of local school leaders and teachers in improving school practices and raising student achievement, will be presented July 9 at the 22nd annual HSTW Staff Development Conference in Nashville, Tenn. More than 7,000 educators from throughout the nation will attend the awards ceremony.

Walhalla High Principal Evie Hughes said her school is proud of its achievement. “There are 16 states in the Southern Regional Education Board network and thousands of schools.”

“The dedication and hard work of our staff is what makes our students successful,” he added.

Tamassee-Salem High School Principal Steve Moore said the efforts of the students, faculty and administrative staff continue to shine “in a day when accountability looks at many different aspects for grading schools.”

“Being recognized for our efforts continues to build on our Eagle tradition and pride where ‘Success is an expectation and failure is not an option.’” Moore said, adding that the school was also recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top high schools in the nation and for having the third highest SAT average in the Upstate.

Oconee County Superintendent Mike Lucas said High Schools That Work practices have been a long-standing tradition in Oconee. “To have two schools recognized in this matter is truly an honor.”

High Schools That Work is a school improvement design based on the premise that “most students can master rigorous academic and career/ technical studies if school leaders and teachers create an environment that motivates students to make the effort to succeed,” according to a publication from the South Regional Education Board.

The publication also said the initiative is the “nation’s first large-scale effort to engage state, district and school leaders in partnership with teachers, students, parents and the community to raise student achievement in high school and the middle grades. It is based on the simple believe that most students become ‘smarter’ through effort and hard work.”

More than 1,100 high schools in 31 states participate in the program.