Tuscaloosa City High School Receives Model School Distinction

Central High School was recognized for being named a "National Model School" by the Tuscaloosa City Board of Education during Tuesday's board meeting.

According to a release from TCS, the International Center for Leadership in Education sponsors the Model School Awards and gives them to schools that are transformed through purposeful, consistent actions driven by a clear vision.

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CHS principal Teresa Jones said in order to receive the designation, schools had to show progress where students were given an opportunity to have a foundation to be successful after graduation. Jones said the focus of Central's transformation over the last six years included academics, student behavior and school perception.

"Central High School is where people come from different backgrounds, come from all walks of life, different experiences, academic levels, and the main thing we want for them is to give them the opportunity to be successful, and the opportunity to be great," Jones said at the board meeting. "It’s about building relationships, because once you build relationships, you can figure out what they want to do, and then you can help them figure out what they have to do to get there."

Jones presented the work that has been done at Central at the Model School Conference in Orlando in June.

TCS superintendant Dr. Mike Daria told the board Central "is on the path of progress."

"They know where they want to be, they have the vision of where all students are going to be successful, they have a plan, and really amazing people in the school who are going to make it happen," Daria said. "This recognition affirms the work they are doing."