Wheeling High School Designated An Exemplar School

            The Partnership for 21st Century Skills has designated Wheeling High School a P21 Exemplar School. This designation is bestowed on schools that engage their students in 21st century learning and prepare them for college, career, and civic life.

            With assistance from a grant from the Pearson Foundation, the 21st Century Learning Exemplar Program identifies schools and school districts across the country that are implementing 21st century skills into the learning environment. The school was evaluated on multiple criteria, including evidence of commitment to college, career, and life readiness; educational support systems and sustainable design; engaged learning approaches; equitable student access to 21st century learning; evidence of student acquisition of 21st century knowledge and skills; and partnerships for sustainable success.

         “It is very exciting for Wheeling High School to receive this designation,” said Wheeling High School Principal Angela Sis. “Our teachers and administration have worked hard to incorporate 21st century skills into the curriculum, and the students have benefited from this work. Not only have the teachers made the coursework relevant to our students' lives, but they have connected that relevance to real life skills that are necessary in the 21st century.”

            In being recognized as an Exemplar school, Wheeling will be the focus of a case study developed by P21 that will be featured on the P21 website, www.p21.org/Exemplars, as well as social media, print channels, and in its Patterns of Innovation report, which will be released in late fall. Wheeling educators also will be invited to attend P21’s National Summit on 21st Century Learning in Virginia in November.