The White House announced today that Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis, Tenn., has won the Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge. President Obama will give a commencement speech at the school; the date has not been announced yet.
"I'm so proud of the schools that participated in this year's commencement challenge and I want to thank all of them for their hard work and dedication," Obama said in a statement. "Booker T. Washington High School proves what can be accomplished when students, teachers, parents and administrators come together to support achievement in the classroom and I'm looking forward to delivering the commencement address at this extraordinary school soon."
[Read more about the Commencement Challenge.]
Booker T. Washington High School has improved its graduation rate from 55 percent in 2007 to 81.6 percent in 2010. The school beat out finalists High Tech High International in San Diego, and Bridgeport High School in Bridgeport, Wash. Those three finalists were narrowed down from a list of six by a public vote earlier this month. You can see the winning school's entry video here.
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