Sleepy Hollow High School Awarded 'Breakthrough' Status Despite Odds

This good news comes with a grey lining. 

Sleepy Hollow High Schools was among nine Breakthrough Schools selected nationally for their "strong achievement success in the face of mounting challenges." Namely, poverty. 

The MetLife Foundation and the National Association of Secondary School Principals have honored since 2007 middle and high schools who "are high achieving or have dramatically improved student achievement while serving large numbers of students who live in poverty." 

“NASSP applauds these schools for understanding the need to prioritize personalization in the classroom and working to meet the specific needs of each and every student,” said NASSP Executive Director JoAnn Bartoletti. “The principals of these schools show us all that hardships do not have to mean low achievement, but that with the right leadership, sufficient time and a clear focus, urban, rural and suburban schools can make great strides in academic achievement and overall school success.”

SHHS, under the leadership of principal Carol Conklin-Spillane, is the one of only two schools in the Northeast to achieve this status. Other schools are in Oregon, Nebraska, California, North Carolina, Missouri, Ohio, and Colorado. Closest to us is Troy Howard Middle School in Belfast, Maine. 

The breakthrough schools win $5,000 at our recognized at an "Ignite" Conference in Dallas, TX in February, 2014.

One parent, who wished to remain unnamed, had this to say on SHHS's award. 
"Mixed feelings," he said. "How great that we're achieving so much in spite of all the poverty verses we stand out as being challenged by poverty. Seems as long as our schools continue to have the resources and to achieve, the 'challenge' can be a net positive for developing our children."

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