[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 113 (Thursday, July 26, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1341]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING MARION COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS

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                          HON. DANIEL WEBSTER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 26, 2012

  Mr. WEBSTER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate Marion County 
Public Schools on having some of America's best high schools. In their 
inaugural High School Challenge, a ranking of the nation's 19,000 best 
high schools, the Washington Post named four Marion County high 
schools--Belleview High School, Vanguard High School, North Marion High 
School, and Lake Weir High School--among America's top ten percent of 
high schools.
  In rating high schools, the High School Challenge considers the ratio 
of college-level tests administered to graduating seniors at a 
particular high school. The survey looks at the total number of 
Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Advanced 
International Certificate of Education (AICE) exams given at a school 
in a single academic year. This rating is intended to indicate the 
level of a high school's commitment to preparing their students for 
college, noting that students who face AP, IB, and AICE exams are 
better prepared for the rigors of college reading lists and 
examinations.
  This is not the first time that Marion County Public Schools have 
been recognized for their quality high schools. The U.S. News and World 
Report rankings of high schools has ranked nationally two Marion County 
high schools--Vanguard High School and Lake Weir High School--and 
recognized nationally three others: Belleview High School, Marion 
Technical Institute, and West Port High School.
  Marion County's dedication to quality high school education is 
evident from these recognitions. I applaud their commitment to their 
students and their community. May their example inspire many to follow 
in their footsteps.

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