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Magazine names Underwood one of nation’s top schools
Published Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Underwood Public School has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report in the magazine’s first-ever compilation of “America’s Best High Schools.”
Superintendent Gary Sletten said he learned of the honor Monday morning after receiving an e-mail from the Minnesota School Board Association, which compiles newspaper clips from around the state for its daily news service. An article in the Morris Sun Tribune covered the naming of a local high school to the list and mentioned other Minnesota schools as well. One of them was Underwood.
“It’s great,” said Sletten, who visited the magazine’s Web site to see the list for himself.
“If this is the first time U.S. News and World Report has done a list for high schools, it’s pretty neat that Underwood is one of 37 Minnesota schools named to that list.”
Underwood received a bronze medal ranking from U.S. News and World Report, meaning the school had high marks on two of the three ranking criteria. According to the magazine, the first criterion required schools to outperform statistical expectations compared with other schools in their state. In conjunction with School Evaluation Services, a K-12 education, data research and analysis business, the magazine calculated how well a school’s students should do on state tests based on each school’s relative proportion of student poverty. Data came from the 2005-2006 school year.
The second measure compared how a school’s black, Hispanic and low-income students performed against similar students throughout the state.
In order to achieve gold or silver status, schools also had to demonstrate high levels of college readiness — primarily through the offering of advanced placement courses. While Underwood allows students to take post-secondary and ITV courses, it does not offer advanced placement classes.
In all, more than 18,000 public schools across the country were evaluated, with honors going to about 1,600. Underwood is the only Otter Tail County school recognized, though other area schools making the list include Moorhead High School, Sebeka Public School, Sauk Centre High School and Verndale Public School.
“I think it means we’re doing a quality job,” Underwood Principal John Hamann said of the ranking. “I think it means that students are leaving here successful or at least prepared to be successful.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by sassica (anonymous) on January 29, 2008 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Way to go Underwood!
Posted by amorgirl (anonymous) on January 29, 2008 at 3:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Goes to show we have AWESOME teachers and staff at our school. Congrats to Underwood on an great award.
Posted by vbmom (anonymous) on January 29, 2008 at 6:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations UHS....administration, teachers, staff, volunteers, school board...and "community"....all of the above is what sets UHS aside from the rest (and those mentioned above would have no problem with changing that order)....that is what makes this school and community unique....I grew up and graduated from UHS...and very proud of that.My daughter will graduate this spring..an open enrollment student. She had never been inside of the building before she made this choice.She had only heard about all of the great things that are going on there. A fantastic educational, athletic, speech, music, etc., community. So FFHS, please don't think that new walls are the answer..it's what goes on inside of them that makes the difference. Again..Congratulations UHS...
Posted by TKay (anonymous) on January 29, 2008 at 7:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations to Underwood High School!
Posted by momofthree (anonymous) on January 29, 2008 at 8:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Way to go UHS!!!
Posted by concerned08 (anonymous) on January 30, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
First, congratulations to UHS. Second, vbmom I can't speak with any real authority on this, but I don't believe underwood high school has a fantastic music program. Not to take away from the other things they might do well, but you shouldn't list music with those things. Especially if you are trying to compare them to what we have in Fergus. Underwood may do better then us in some things but I don't think they could hold a candle to our music program.
Posted by caregiver90 (anonymous) on January 30, 2008 at 11:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
vbmom -
Be proud of the recognition UHS received. But why must you point fingers at another school - as if to say "ha ha, we're better than you". Perhaps you should show the maturity that the mother of a high school student should have. It reminds me of the behavior at some high school football and basketball games.
Posted by luvmyboys (anonymous) on January 30, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If I'm not mistaken vbmom... I believe Underwood's "WALLS" are fairly new. And I agree whole-heartedly with caregiver90. Be proud of what you have, without slamming others.
Posted by hightag08 (anonymous) on January 30, 2008 at 12:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Cargiver90-
Underwood has a fine music program- and Fergus Has a fine music program.
BTW I think the Fergus Falls Women's hockey team is OK, but there is no way they hold a candle to the Minnesota Wild......
Posted by hightag08 (anonymous) on January 30, 2008 at 12:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OOPS previous comment was meant for concerned08. Must learn how to type.....
Posted by concerned08 (anonymous) on January 30, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Define the word "fine" for me. I'm a little confused by your use of this word. When is the last time you attended a Fergus music event or one in Underwood?
Posted by atorkelson22 (anonymous) on January 30, 2008 at 12:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
vbmom-
go fry something in your double-wide
Posted by hightag08 (anonymous) on January 30, 2008 at 1:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm not going to turn this into a debate about who's music program is better, etc. I have been to several "music events" in Underwood and Fergus. The Fergus Falls Bands in particular always put on great concerts. Underwood, despite their much smaller size also puts on great concerts in both Band and Choir. I have not heard the Fergus Choir for a while but I am sure they are excellent as well. Maybe you should go to a concert in Underwood, or change your name to "confused08"
Posted by concerned08 (anonymous) on January 30, 2008 at 2:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm not trying to give Underwood a black eye, but I want people to see that we have many great things happening here in Fergus. Right now there is so much bad publicity over finances that it overshadows what the school is doing. As a community member and graduate of Fergus I don't see a bad school. I see a school that prepared me for college. I did well at Fergus and in college and I have the hardworking staff to thank for that. Below are a few articles I found from the journal that help show that. Just my thoughts
http://fergusfallsjournal.com/news/2007/...
http://fergusfallsjournal.com/news/2008/...
http://fergusfallsjournal.com/news/2006/...
http://fergusfallsjournal.com/news/2007/...
Posted by hightag08 (anonymous) on January 30, 2008 at 2:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Concerned, I understand. Sorry about the "Confused" nickname thing. I understand your views. For the record, FFHS has many things to be proud of. Bashing schools in other towns, or going beyond normal school pride to "Bragging" is bad form. I believe all schools are trying their best, under their unique circumstances, to give their students the best all around education possible. If Underwood wants to look at this article and be proud, fine. But I firmly believe all schools in this area do the best job they can. Its not supposed to be a "competition" I will now retire from this forum....
Posted by j_g4ever (anonymous) on January 30, 2008 at 7:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
atorkelson22
Must we be so rude?? That was totally not necessary.
Posted by pilsnerurquel (anonymous) on January 30, 2008 at 7:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Underwood??? A top school???? Wow. Times have sure changed.
Posted by taximom (anonymous) on January 30, 2008 at 8:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
seriously pilsnerurquel???????????????
Posted by taximom (anonymous) on January 30, 2008 at 8:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why can't we just give UHS a great big ATTABOY?!! My kids all go and went to UHS. I did as well. I loved the school when I went there 20 some years ago, but we have come soooo far since then. The teachers and the admin. (Mr. Hamann and Mr.Sletton) are great. These people care so much. Why do we have to slam each other when we should be just saying this is the bar, this is where it's set, let's get there. My husband is in a profession where it seems to be difficult to get a full time job in this county and yet he works 4 part time jobs and I work a full timer here to keep our kids in UHS. I can't say enough about this school. From the summer rec handled by Anne Stenoin, the coaching in all levels and lets not forget the speech coaches and Mr. Farsdale is soooo talented with the vocal music. When we got Mr. Speer as a band director our band went back to a level we haven't seen since Mr. Alvin Olson. I just can't see how we are giving UHS any bad press!!!! I realize I am have an opinion that is a little pro UHS, but when it works...my child had a 3.85gpa and was 5th in the class.....enough said!!!!! Lets just give them there due. Underwood is a great school, we have great teachers and coaches (both sports and the arts). Our kids are playing ball in Fergus CC and other Colleges. I haven't even mentioned the community..... I'll get off my soap box now. But give UHS their due. But if anyone wants to correct my spelling or grammer...........go for it. Still GO ROCKETS....BULDOGS.....SPARTANS.......
Posted by justme (anonymous) on January 30, 2008 at 10:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Some of you must be living under rocks. Many of these comments are in response to the recent banter about those Fergus residents who have open-enrolled in smaller area schools, specifically Underwood.
http://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/news/2...
Every school district is going to have its strengths and weaknesses. Naturally, a larger school can afford to do more with its music or athletic departments, but that's not a priority when choosing my child's school. However, as long as we are dropping names where music is concerned, Roger Farsdale's choir direction cannot be surpassed.
In response to the comment about the "new walls" at Underwood, have you ever stopped by to visit the school? The addition in Underwood was built in 1998-1999, more than doubling the square footage of the old school. It was designed to make the best use of the existing facility, adding a much-needed state-of-the art media center, gymnasium and elementary classrooms. The building is about as modest as they come, the brick from the outer walls of the old school still visible along the hallway that joins the two wings of the new school. There are no bells and whistles, just a place to learn.
My point is, I don't know of anyone who open-enrolled to Underwood because it had nothing better to offer than a newly renovated, basic school building. It's the quality of education, along with small class sizes, and a host of other reasons housed within those walls that has attracted families from other districts.
This honor is well-deserved by Underwood School, and well-timed to boot. Way To Go Rockets, Way To Go!!
Posted by lenny (anonymous) on January 30, 2008 at 10:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
atorkelson, Bravo, tell it like it is. Are you related to chipmunk?
Posted by randlars (anonymous) on January 31, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There are a lot of good schools in this part of Minnesota, and they are all different sizes. They should all be congratulated. Underwood seems like a good school to me from the outside, but so does Hillcrest, Rothsay, West Central, Fergus Falls, Battle Lake, Ashby, and all of the other schools in the area. The kids they produce are excellent. It's too bad the magazine had to single just a few out because it opens those schools up to undue criticism and as well as excessive home-school cheerleading. Underwood should be proud of their school but there's great things going on in all of the area schools.
Posted by notsocommonsense (anonymous) on January 31, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I want to know something, is the new DQ going to have burgers?
Posted by justme (anonymous) on February 1, 2008 at 12:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Randlars, your comment made absolutely no sense. This is a great honor for all schools selected throughout the country. Do you actually expect that a national magazine is going to be able to cover every little school in every state so nobody's feelings get hurt? This wasn't a competition, it was based on actual data collected by the State. Every school should be proud of what they excel in and strive to improve in what they are lacking.
I can't say it enough, before you send your comment, people, read the article.
Posted by FarmGirl (anonymous) on February 25, 2008 at 2:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow!!! The competition here is amazing to me. I was born and raised in California but spent three months of every year in Underwood on my Grandparents farm. I purchased a home in Underwood based on the communities commitment to investing in the education of their children. I guess coming from a large town, I always considered any place within 20 miles of Underwood to be one in the same. How "small town" of me to think that these communities would all want the best for one another. I guess instead of taking pride in the life style you lead, that some of you are striving to be like California etc.... Seperate.
A. Pearce
Posted by FarmGirl (anonymous) on February 25, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Separate" Excuse my speed typing
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