Okaloosa County School District Named a Worldwide School System of Distinction
The Okaloosa County School District is one of 38 school systems globally to be named a Cognia System of Distinction for 2022, according to the organization’s recently-issued press release. During the 2021-2022 school year, Cognia conducted approximately 1,500 school engagement reviews for accreditation. This year, 96 schools and 38 systems in 34 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and nine countries are recognized. The number of institutions reviewed and those that earn this designation vary from year to year. Winners carry the designation for one year.
The recognition, which highlights excellence in education, is based on the results of the rigorous accreditation process Cognia administered in the district in February 2022. Cognia’s accreditation rubric consists of three categories – Leadership Capacity, Learning Capacity and Resource Capacity. The District scored “Impacting,” which is the highest possible rating, in 29 out of 31 indicators. Okaloosa County was joined by four other Florida school districts among the 38 systems recognized worldwide: Collier, Pasco, Volusia and neighboring Walton County school districts.
Three CHS Students Selected as National Merit Semifinalists
Last month, the National Merit Corporation (NMSC) announced the names of more than 16,000 high school students who have been selected as semifinalists in the 68th Annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Among them were NWFSC Collegiate High School students Aiden Black, Alana Davis and Serapia Silva.
The NMSC is a non-profit organization that honors the nation’s scholastic champions and encourages the pursuit of academic excellence. With the support of 340 businesses, colleges and universities, NMSC grants nearly $28 million in scholarships to students wishing to pursue higher education opportunities.
The nationwide pool of semifinalists represents less than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors and includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. As semifinalists, students will remain in the running to receive some of the 7,250 National Merit Scholarships that will be awarded next spring. Merit Scholars are selected based on their skills, accomplishments and potential for success in rigorous college studies. To be considered as a finalist, the students must maintain an outstanding academic record and earn a superlative SAT or ACT score. Approximately 95 percent of the semifinalists are expected to advance to the finalist level, and half will win a National Merit Scholarship and the title of Merit Scholar.
For more information, visit nationalmerit.org. To learn more about the Collegiate High School at NWFSC, visit chs.nwfsc.edu or contact Dr. Sandy Arteaga, Interim Dean of College Pathways and Principal of Collegiate High School, at (850) 729-4949 or collegiatehs@nwfsc.edu.
