From left, are Kevin Sullins/Harmony Principal, Beverly Jenkins/Good Hope Elementary Principal, Karen Sparks/Holly Pond K-8 Principal, Elizabeth Watwood/Hanceville High Assistant Principal, Dr. Wes Black/West Point High Principal, Brent Barnett/Hanceville Middle Assistant Principal, Dr. Shane Barnette/Cullman County School Superintendent and Adriana Skutchan/Good Hope High Assistant Principal.

Eight Cullman County Schools were recently recognized for achieving Blue Ribbon Lighthouse status. Schools acknowledged Friday, Dec. 1 at the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Conference at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. include:

• Good Hope Elementary (2-time winner)
• Good Hope High (2-time winner)
• Hanceville Middle (2-time winner)
• Hanceville High
• Harmony (2-time winner)
• Holly Pond K-8 (2-time winner)
• Vinemont Middle (2-time winner)
• West Point High (2-time winner)

“Congratulations to our schools on this outstanding achievement,” said Dr. Shane Barnette, Cullman County School Superintendent in a press release. “Almost all of our schools have earned Lighthouse status, some multiple times. Other schools are working on it for the first time. It’s a tough process and all of our schools will be better because they have went through it.”

To obtain Lighthouse status, a school must demonstrate a high level of proficiency in the following nine categories:

• Student Focus and Support
• School Organization and Culture
• Challenging Standards and Curriculum
• Active Teaching and Learning
• Technology Integration
• Professional Community
• Leadership and Educational Vitality
• School, Family, and Community Partnerships
• Indicators of Success