Local school corporation gets national recognition

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The West Lafayette Community School Corporation is receiving national recognition for high test scores.

To determine the top science, technology, engineering, and math or STEM schools, U.S. News and World Report looked at the top 500 public schools in the nation. From those schools, U.S. News evaluated their students' participation and success in Advanced Placement or AP tests.
    
West Lafayette Jr.-Sr. High School was ranked 19th. Principal Ron Shriner said the numbers come from the Class of 2010. He said 144 students took 325 AP exams. On a 5-point scale, 55 percent of students scored a three or higher.

West Lafayette teachers said the national recognition comes as no surprise.

"They want to be pushed. My students really do. They want to be challenged and they respond very positively to the challenge," said Dave Aufderheide, a math teacher.

"It's positive peer pressure to succeed and be successful and to push one another," said Phil Pusey, a science teacher.

Principal Shriner said for the past three years, the Department of Education has recognized West Lafayette for being the top public school in Indiana for AP tests results.