Guest Column – Did you know?

Lake Orion Community Schools…
*Annually outperform Oakland County and State averages in all tested subject areas
*Graduates are awarded several million dollars in merit scholarships
*Was named by the College Board as a 2012-2013’Advance Placement (AP) Achievement District earning placement on the AP Honor Roll
*Neighborhood and intra-district focus elementary schools and middle schools recognized as Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary Schools.
+The Michigan Department of Education ranked Carpenter Elementary School among the top 1% of schools in the state for the academic success of students
+Webber Elementary is a member of the National Math Olympiad Honor Role ranking in the top 10% of all teams internationally
+Pine Tree and Stadium Drive Elementary awarded the Education Excellence Awards from the Michigan Association of School Boards
*Incoming ninth grade students are part of the District’s exclusive’Freshman Academy, a county first.
*High school designated a National Blue Ribbon School and New American High School and accredited by the North Central Association
*Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education with the Blue Ribbon Schools special emphasis award in special education.
*Award-winning Reader’s Workshop has become a model for districts throughout Oakland County.
*English as a Second Language’provided to some 500 adults and children from more than 30 countries recognized as the Oakland County Community and Adult Education District of the Year.
*Vocal and Instrumental music programs regularly earn top ratings at state-level competitions and festivals.
*Dragon Yearbook is a member of the MPA Hall of Fame and awarded the National Pacemaker Award for excellence in student journalism.
*Athletic success includes state playoff runs and state championships in numerous sports programs earned.
+Meridian Award of Excellence’from the Michigan School Business Officials
+Excellence in Transportation Award’from Oakland County
+Children’s Choice North American School Bus Driver of the year
+Middle School Teacher of the Year and Promising Young Educator of the Year’from the Michigan Association of Middle School Educators
+Distinguished Support Service Betty Campion Award’from Oakland County
+Best Newscast Award awarded to LO-AM, the high school’s student produced daily live news program by the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association
*Received a’AA-bond rating?- the highest available to a school district
*Refinanced a portion of the bond debt to save taxpayers $6.1 million over a 15 year period