School district bright spots

The Clark County School District faces numerous challenges in raising achievement, expectations and graduation rates. But some great success stories exist within the country's fifth-largest public education system, as well.

One of those was recognized again Thursday when the Advanced Technologies Academy received the U.S. Department of Education's Blue Ribbon award. The honor means the academy -- a Las Vegas magnet high school for high-achieving students interested in architecture, engineering, finance and other disciplines -- is one of the country's 71 highest-performing schools.

It's the second time the academy has received a Blue Ribbon award, first winning the honor in 2003. Repeat winners are rare because schools can't attain the honor twice within five years. A second award in just eight years is a sign of the academy's consistent excellence.

The school, located on Vegas Drive just east of Rancho Drive, requires applicants to have high GPAs and test scores, then selects students by drawing names. Each student recognizes the opportunity that comes with winning this lottery.

"They're expected to stretch themselves, therefore they do," said academy English teacher Maury Lowe. The state's High School Proficiency Exam, a cause of stress for thousands of valley high school seniors, creates all the pressure of an open-book quiz at the academy. Students quickly move past the basic material in that exam.

"The number one thing we have going for us is they choose to come here," said English teacher Mary Ziegler.

Superintendent Dwight Jones wants to create magnet-school expectations at every high school. Good. He has proof of what this valley's teenagers are capable of.

The Department of Education honored another Las Vegas school on Thursday, naming Bendorf Elementary School one of the country's 234 most-improved schools. Turnarounds are especially meaningful in Nevada, which just saw the nation's highest unemployment rate get even worse.

Congratulations to both campuses. They represent the best of the Clark County School District.