For the second year in a row U.S. News and World Report has named Skyline as one of the top high schools in Kansas.    

Skyline was one of several area schools receiving bronze medal recognition. Other recognition levels are silver and gold. The award was discussed at the regular monthly meeting of the Skyline Board of Education Monday night.

“We’re proud that U.S. News and World Report has honored us with this recognition,” said Skyline Superintendent Mike Sanders. “It’s an honor to be on their list.”

Kansas has 350 high schools but only 59 of those schools were eligible for analysis. Bronze medals were given to 36 schools, no gold medals were given and only two silver medals were given in Kansas.

Other high schools in the area receiving bronze medals are Greensburg, Macksville, South Barber and Stafford Middle School/High School.

The two silver medals went to Sumner Academy of Arts and Sciences in Kansas City, Kan. and Blue Valley North High School in Overland Park.

The data used to determine the schools came from the 2006-2007 school year. The criteria includes: are students performing better than statistically excepted for the average student in the state; were least-advantaged students performing better than average for similar students in the state; which school produced the best college level achievement for the highest percentages of their students, according to the U.S. News web site.

School Evaluation Services developed the methodology for the analysis. 

Nationwide 100 schools received gold medals, 504 received silver medals and 1,321 schools received bronze medals. Of the 21,069 high schools in the U.S. only 8,145 were eligible for analysis.

In other Board news the girl’s shower in the high school side is leaking and has to be replaced. This will require partial removal of a wall to repair. The administration will try to make it through basketball season before making the repairs. Even though the school is trying to reduce expenses this repair needs to be done, Sanders said.

“If we let it go further it’s going to cost more,” Sanders said.

Walt Stockwell, Skyline building maintenance supervisor, should be able to do the majority of the work. 

A pair of Skyline siblings is headed for the District Hoop Shoot. Kamryn Stark took first at the local hoop shoot and Kaitlyn Stark took second in their respective age groups. The first place finisher in Kaitlyn’s age group declined to attend district and Kaitlyn will fill that slot.

Other Skyline students placing in the local hoop shoot were Kendall Davidson and Stephanie Holmes taking fourth in their age groups, Casey Gilpin and Cole Patterson both took second in their age groups.

Another pair of siblings took first and second at the Skyline Geography Bee. Cody Stamy took first in the competition while Amanda Stamy took second. Cody will take a test to determine if he will continue to the state level of the Geography Bee competition, Sanders noted. 

A trio of resignations was approved. Angie Lykins resigned as high school secretary, Eric Bronson resigned as assistant high school track coach and Molly Webb resigned as Janitor.