Oak Harbor Middle School will be honored at the Benton-Carroll-Salem Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 9, as the recipient of two huge awards from the State of Ohio for its commitment to student achievement for all.

Oak Harbor Middle School was named by the State Superintendent as a “2018 High Progress School of Honor” based on its 2017-2018 Ohio School Report Card performance. Oak Harbor Middle School was one of only 67 schools in the state, and the only school in Ottawa County, to receive this prestigious award.

The criteria for earning the award are: a school serving 40% or more economically disadvantaged students, who achieved performance gains in English language arts and math in the 90th percentile statewide over the last five years among all students.

“Our mission is to prepare students for a future that has yet to be written,” said State Superintendent Paulo DeMaria. “Many consider this to be a daunting endeavor. Your education team, however, has clearly embraced this challenge.”

Oak Harbor Middle School was also the only school in Ottawa County to earn the “2018 Momentum Award” presented by the State of Ohio Board of Education. Now in its fourth year, the Momentum Award is the State Board’s way of recognizing schools that received A’s on every Value-Added measure included on the Ohio School Report Cards.

Upon making this award, the President of the Ohio Board of Education Tess Elshoff commented to Principal Laramie Spurlock:  “I want you to know how much we appreciate your leadership and the dedication  your team has to providing a high-quality experience for all students. Please share our gratitude with all of those who contributed to this accomplishment.”

“I am so proud of the leadership, and each and every professional at Oak Harbor Middle School, and congratulate them for earning these extraordinary honors from the State of Ohio,” said B-C-S Superintendent Guy Parmigian. “I know they all work very hard to get the results they get. These awards reflect the staff’s commitment to serving the needs of all students, which includes strong relationships with all students and their families.”

Oak Harbor Middle School is led by Principal Laramie Suprlock, and Assistant Principal Leigh Carroll. Both are in their fourth year in their respective positions. Oak Harbor Middle School educates all Benton-Carroll-Salem students in grades 4 through 7.