Sissonville High School receives honor
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The College Foundation of West Virginia (CFWV) announced today that Sissonville High School has been named a recipient of the 2020 American College Application Campaign’s 2020 School of Excellence Award. The school is one of 22 across the nation selected to receive this honor in recognition of their strong commitment to helping students complete college applications and continue their education.
The American College Application Campaign (ACAC) – a national initiative of ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning – works to increase the number of first-generation college students and students from low-income families pursuing a college degree or other form of higher education after graduation. Nearly 5,600 high schools hosted College Application Campaign events nationwide in coordination with the ACAC last year.
ACAC Director Lisa King said, “Congratulations to Sissonville High School for its vision and leadership—you’ve led the way in your community, your state and for the nation. We are thrilled to take this moment to recognize your impactful work, especially in difficult times. We join you in celebrating the achievements of the class of 2021. At the same time, we know you have already begun preparing the class of 2022 for their application season and we look forward to building momentum with you to achieve success next year.”
“Together, the students and faculty of Sissonville very much deserve this recognition. They are helping to lead the way in West Virginia’s efforts to encourage more young people plan for college.” said Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginia’s Chancellor for Higher Education. “Recently, Sissonville’s student body president participated in the inaugural convening of the West Virginia Student Success Leadership Council, our new group that connects high school and college student leaders committed to helping more West Virginia students pursue higher education. I’d like to thank him and all of the students, teachers, and staff at Sissonville for their commitment to this critical shared mission.”
“I am pleased to congratulate Sissonville High School on its commitment to this program and the impact it has on our young adults as they prepare for their future. Awards such as this illustrate our ability to not only support students academically but to also be that bridge as they journey to the next chapter of their lives,” said State Superintendent of Schools Clayton Burch. “I value the partnership between the West Virginia Department of Education and the Higher Education Policy Commission because of efforts such as these that open doors of opportunity for our children and have a lasting impact on our state.”
Sissonville High School has made active strides to improve their college and career readiness culture among their students, feeder schools, and community. They have substantially improved their previous year’s percentage of seniors completing a postsecondary application during College Application and Exploration Week. Student participation in college readiness preparation programs has increased leaps and bounds with the use of tools like CFWV.com, readiness assessments, and initiatives like FAFSA completion events.
More than 46,631 students in West Virginia participated in College Application and Exploration Week, which was held last November. Each year through this initiative, students – from pre-school to adult learners across the state – participate in college planning activities, including college application workshops, panel discussions with current college students, scavenger hunts, and trivia contests. They also learn about the many postsecondary options available to them – from certificate, career and technical programs to two-year degree programs, four-year degree programs, and the military.
This annual event is coordinated by CFWV, which is a college- and career-planning initiative managed by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission in conjunction with the state’s Community and Technical College System and Department of Education. To learn more, visit cfwvconnect.com/college-application-and-exploration-week.
Follow the campaign on social media:
Twitter: @CFWV
Facebook: College Foundation of West Virginia
Instagram: @collegefoundationofwv
Hashtags: #CollegeBoundWV #WhyIChose #IApplied