A Passion for Learning

Robert W. Snee, principal
George Mason High School, Falls Church, Va.
DON'T CROSS THE LINE, the posters remind us all. They hang in classrooms and offices throughout George Mason High School and they are the creation of students in the Be the Change Club. Inspired by our Challenge Day experience, the club takes its name from Gandhi's exhortation, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." The posters offer this simple yet effective verbal intervention that anyone can use when we hear someone using language that could lead to hurt feelings, or worse. It's this third party's admonition that redirects the conversation and prevents the wound and all else that otherwise might have ensued. So what kind of a high school needs reminders like this? All schools, including a great one like George Mason.

Be the Change is one of several student groups with a mission to keep GMHS a safe, collaborative and welcoming place and their motto and mantra speaks for the whole school: We care about individuals. We respect each other. We do not judge.

Because our students and parent community have long prized positive school culture and a climate of trust above all else, and because our faculty and staff work so tirelessly to provide the right combination of support and challenge in all things, the rest falls into place naturally.

When students graduate from GMHS they are the sum of their experiences here. They are risk-takers who see the value in consistent effort, hard work, community service and collaboration. They are budding writers, researchers, thinkers, inventors, problem solvers, thespians, musicians and athletes. They are good citizens with a global perspective. Most are heading off to college and some to the workplace, but all are well prepared for their next challenge and will, no doubt, carry something of this school with them.

Gregory Hampton II, senior
Rickards High School, Tallahassee, Fla.
To observers, Rickards High School is a traditional school. However, Rickards stands out among its contemporaries as one of the best schools in America. While all schools share certain values, there is one difference that separates Rickards from every high school in the nation. That difference is an emphasis on providing opportunities to students.

The desire to create opportunities is addressed through academics. At Rickards, several educational options are available. These include more than 20 Advanced Placement (AP) courses, the Health Services Academy and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. Geared towards the workforce, the Health Services Academy prepares students for medical careers. The IB Program, which includes the majority of our AP courses, is an intensive academic program leading to a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship. The personalized nature of these programs fosters an environment conducive to success.