Special to Iredell Free News

South Iredell High School has met the criteria of high-performing schools for the prestigious Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence (BRSE) recognition program.

South Iredell High School is the first school in North Carolina to be named this year as a 2021 Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence.

Schools are evaluated in nine performance areas: 

♦ Student Focus and Support;
♦ School Organization and Culture;
♦ Challenging Standard and Curriculum;
♦ Active Teaching and Learning;
♦ Technology and Integration;
♦ Professional Community;
♦ Leadership and Education Vitality;
♦ School, Family, and Community Partnerships; and
♦ Indicators of Success

In addition to the comprehensive review process for these performance areas, stakeholder surveys, interviews, and school visits were also completed.

“This is a huge honor, not only for South Iredell High School but for our entire school community, especially during a pandemic,” said Principal Tim Ivey. “It recognizes on a national level the strong focus on continuous school improvement and excellence and it is a testament to our dedicated students, parents, school leaders, and of course our exceptional teachers.”

Judy Warden Fields, CEO of Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence praised Ivey and the teachers at South Iredell High for their courage, collaborative spirit, and commitment to excellence in ensuring all students get the education they deserve – all while dealing with the disruptions of a global pandemic.

This award will be presented to South Iredell High School during the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Conference in Orlando, Fla., on Friday, December 3. More than 35 states are represented at this national event each year.