A Perfect Score
Hillside New Tech posts 100% graduation rate
Hillside New Tech High School, one of Durham’s innovative small schools within a school, had the distinction this year of graduating every single member of its senior class.
The school was one of just 23 of the state’s high schools to graduate every senior. The schools were honored by North Carolina Secretary of Education June Atkinson, North Carolina Board of Education Chairman Bill Harrison and Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton in Durham in October.
Hillside New Tech opened with the 2007-2008 school year to focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in a small-school environment. This year’s graduating class, its first, consisted of 86 students.
Principal William Logan praised the commitment of students, families and school staff in achieving the perfect graduation record. “There’s seriousness around graduation and all that it means, and there’s a recognition of the implications that it has beyond high school,” he told The Herald-Sun.
“New Tech offers a one-to-one computer-to-student ratio, Project-Based Learning, and a small school environment designed to build strong working relationships with teachers and fellow students,” according to the school’s website. “We are dedicated to having our students understand how educational content relates to real-world experiences, making sure that students have access to technologies they will experience in college and work, and teaching them the 21st century skills.”
Logan noted that on graduation day, 97 percent of the senior class had been accepted by a college or university.
