Rhodes to lead high school improvement initiative
June 1, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Rodney Nelson, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resource Services 560-2353
Rhodes to lead high school improvement initiative
DURHAM—Riverside High School Principal G. Patrick Rhodes has been named Executive Director of High Schools for Durham Public Schools. In this position, Rhodes will oversee the planning and implementation of plans to bolster the quality of instruction at the high school level.
In January, Superintendent Ann Denlinger initiated a yearlong process of examining high school achievement data and planning for the future, with the outcome being the development of both a plan of action and specific goals for improvement in each high school. Since then, she has met regularly with professional teams from each school who, in turn, are soliciting input from numerous others in their schools to develop plans. Rhodes will work closely with these teams.
“I cannot think of a better way to continue my career in education than by working with my colleagues to continue the increase in student achievement that we are already seeing in our high schools,” said Rhodes, who has been Riverside principal since 2000. “Working with the Riverside students, teachers, staff members and families has been wonderful, and I look forward with great anticipation to continue serving them in this new capacity.”
In addition to the improvement initiative, Durham Public Schools will open two new high schools over the next two years: The Josephine Dobbs Clement Early College High School, opening this fall, and the Southern High School City of Medicine Academy (CMA) in fall 2006. Rhodes will also contribute to planning and implementation at these schools.
Rhodes is the 2004 Principal of the Year for Durham Public Schools, and last month was named Principal of the Year for the North Central Region of North Carolina. At neighboring Orange High School, where he was principal from 1996 through 1999, Rhodes was named Orange County Principal of the Year and represented the Central Region in the statewide competition in 1999.
-more-Riverside High School has developed an outstanding reputation for strong school-community relations under Rhodes’ leadership. The academic performance of the school also has made significant improvement. Newsweek magazine recognized Riverside as one of America’s Best High Schools last year because of the school’s strong Advanced Placement performance. On the state testing program, the ABCs, the school posted its highest performance composite ever in 2003, earning School of Progress distinction.
“Pat Rhodes brings a superlative record of invaluable experience as a high school administrator to this critically important position,” said Dr. Denlinger. “With the success that is happening with student achievement in grades three through eight, we are now poised for the next echelon of instruction and results in our high schools. Pat will work extremely well with our high school teams to chart the course.”
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