North Putnam High School earns Four-Star School rating

Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz has announced that North Putnam Senior High School has been named one of Indiana's four-star schools for 2013.

North Putnam was one of 313 schools in the state to receive the award and the only school in Putnam County to receive this distinction for 2013.

To receive the four-star rating schools must be in the top 25 percent of schools in ISTEP+ testing results.

"I am honored to name these schools as our Four Star Schools for this year," Superintendent Ritz said. "Winning this award required excellent work by teachers, administrators, students and parents throughout the year and on behalf of the entire Indiana Department of Education I send them my sincere congratulations."

North Putnam School Corporation Superintendent Dan Noel agreed with Ritz about the excellent work put in by everyone who is a part of the corporation.

North Putnam High School Principal Allen Zerkel was also proud of the role corporation played.

"It is always great to get a recommendation," Zerkel said. "I want this to go to all the schools in the corporation. This reflects well on the whole corporation."

This is the first time North Putnam High School has been awarded the four-star rating. Roachdale Elementary has also earned the distinction in years past.

Both Zerkel and Noel are elated with the honor and recognition that North Putnam has received.

The four-star rating also comes after the high school received an A grade from the Indiana Department of Education at the end of 2012.

The possibility of retaining the Four-Star School distinction in years to come is up to the different classes that will come through he school system, Zerkel noted.

North Putnam Senior High School shares its 2103 distinction with several other area schools, including Southmont Senior High School, Cascade Middle School and Danville Community High School.

"This just goes to show that hard work really does pay off," Zerkel commented.