Reserve – West St. John High School is one of five schools around the state to be recognized as a 2010-11 Louisiana GEAR UP Exemplary School, announced St. John the Baptist Parish School Superintendent Courtney P. Millet, Ph.D.

As one of the state’s award-winning schools, WSJH will receive an additional $5,000 to support its La. GEAR UP goals and the school will be recognized during the La. GEAR UP Annual Explorers Club Leadership Summit and Conference in the spring.

Through the grant, WSJH students have been given opportunities to explore post-secondary options and visit college campuses in the region.

“I am very proud of this recognition for West St. John High and that through this award,” Millet said.

She told school board members at their Dec. 1 meeting that the school received the recognition based on high marks in five key areas: WSJH’s baseline School Performance Score, WSJH’s engagement in high-quality professional development, WSJH’s effective implementation of La. GEAR UP grant initiatives, WSJH’s effective implementation of its “Make a Difference” grant initiatives and the quality and completeness of WSJH’s “Make a Difference” grant application.

Millet gave special recognition to WSJH’s La. GEAR UP Site Coordinator Belinda Baily, WSJH Principal Erica Merrick and District La. GEAR Up Coordinator Heidi Trosclair for their support and diligence in implementing the grant with timeliness and integrity.