[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 15098-15099]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          THOMAS STONE HIGH SCHOOL, A TOP AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 17, 2003

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Thomas Stone High 
School in Charles County Maryland, for its ranking among the nation's 
top 700 most demanding public schools as reported in Newsweek. I would 
like to commend Thomas Stone High School on incorporating a curriculum 
that challenges and advances the abilities of all students who attend 
this public school.
  The 2003 Challenge Index rated each school by analyzing the number of 
advanced placement or International Baccalaureate tests taken by 
students in the high school and the number of graduating seniors from 
that school in a given year. Those schools who received a rating of 
1.0, which meant that the number

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of students graduating was less than the number of tests given, were 
considered above average and included in the index. Based on this 
ratings scale, Thomas Stone High School achieved the ranking of 364th 
in schools across the nation who met this 1.0 rating.
  The Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB), a 
European based program, are courses students can take which have a more 
challenging curriculum and prepare the students for their endeavors at 
the collegiate level. In addition to this, these exams also allow the 
individual students to earn college credit depending on the score they 
receive on the exam.
  Thomas Stone High School includes 1916 students with 392 of those 
graduating this year. Out of those 392 students graduating, the school 
expects 72 percent to attend a college or university. To aid students 
in continuing their education the school estimates that nearly 4.2 
million dollars has been spent on scholarships. Students are allowed to 
participate in nineteen Advanced Placement courses, as well as 
scholar's courses and the JROTC. Thomas Stone High School has a student 
who sits on the State Board of Education as well as the County Board of 
Education. The school has Board Certified teachers and the Principal, 
Mr. Heath Morrison, was named the Maryland Association of Student 
Council's Principal of the Year. It is easy to see how such remarkable 
students can thrive at Thomas Stone High School.
  The faculty and staff, along with the students, are responsible for 
this honor. Principal Heath Morrison as well as the five Vice 
Principals: Janice Johnson, Ellen Linton, Curry Werkheiser, Wendell 
Martin, and Frazier Nelson all helped to encourage the students to 
strive for and achieve their goals.
  Mr. Speaker, Thomas Stone High School has demonstrated an outstanding 
commitment to its entire student body by offering numerous courses that 
provoke the minds of each and every student. I would like to 
congratulate Thomas Stone High School on achieving such an honor and 
wish the faculty, staff, and students continued success in the future.

                          ____________________