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The exterior of the new Bethel Park High School.
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Bethel Park High School selected as a 2022 National Blue Ribbon School

Lake Fong/Post-Gazette

Bethel Park High School selected as a 2022 National Blue Ribbon School

The U.S. Department of Education has named Bethel Park High School a 2022 National Blue Ribbon School, one of just 10 in Pennsylvania — and the lone school in the Pittsburgh area — to be selected this year. 

Schools receive the recognition based on overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

“We are humbled to be named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education,” said Joseph Villani, principal of Bethel Park High School. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and commitment to success from all members of our school community, including our dedicated teachers and staff members, our determined administrators, and our outstanding students; combined with the unwavering support of our families and stakeholders.”

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Bethel Park High School had a 99% graduation rate with 91% of graduates enrolled in post-secondary institutions or apprenticeships and about 9% of graduates enlisting in the military or entering Pennsylvania’s workforce in 2022. And over the past four years on the state’s Keystone standardized tests, the composite scores of Bethel Park students have risen by at least 5% in math, science and English.

The high school offers 19 Advanced Placement courses, 13 college-and-high school offerings and 32 honors courses.

In the 2021-22 school year, the school partnered with the National Math + Science Initiative to encourage more student involvement in AP instruction and assessments. In 2022, 168 students chose to take AP exams for a total of 299 AP exams, a 30% increase over the previous year. Of those exams, 74.4% of students earned a qualifying score, a 3.4% increase from 2021.

“This is indeed a tremendous honor for the entire Bethel Park community: to have our flagship school honored nationally speaks to the great commitment of this community to a ‘Best in Class’ education,” said Superintendent James Walsh. “I am extremely proud of the administration and faculty, and most of all our students, for earning this incredible distinction for all of Bethel Park.”

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The U.S. Department of Education will honor all 2022 recipients at an awards ceremony Nov. 3-4 in Washington. The high school said it plans to host a school-wide celebration prior to that date. 

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona applauded the Blue Ribbon honorees for creating “vibrant, welcoming and affirming school communities where students can learn, grow, reach their potential, and achieve their dreams.

“As our country continues to recover from the pandemic, we know that our future will only be as strong as the education we provide to all of our children,” Mr. Cardona said. “Blue Ribbon Schools have gone above and beyond to keep students healthy and safe while meeting their academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs. These schools show what is possible to make an enduring, positive difference in students’ lives.”

The U.S. Department of Education recognized 297 schools nationwide as National Blue Ribbon schools. 

In addition to Bethel Park High School, the other Pennsylvania school selected as 2022 National Blue Ribbon honorees were:

  • Cogan Station – Hepburn-Lycoming Elementary School, Williamsport Area School District.
  • Holland – Council Rock High School South, Council Rock School District.
  • King of Prussia – Mother Teresa Regional Catholic School, Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
  • Lake City – Elk Valley Elementary School, Girard School District.
  • Lansdale – Corpus Christi School, Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
  • New Hope – New Hope-Solebury Middle School, New Hope-Solebury School District.
  • Philadelphia – Arts Academy At Benjamin Rush, Philadelphia Public Schools.
  • Rockwood – Rockwood Area Elementary School, Rockwood Area School District.
  • Shinglehouse – Oswayo Valley Elementary School, Oswayo Valley School District.

First Published: September 16, 2022, 6:58 p.m.

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The exterior of the new Bethel Park High School.  (Lake Fong/Post-Gazette )
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