Two Arkansas City High School career and technical education programs were recognized for excellence during a ceremony hosted Aug. 1, by the Kansas State Department of Education. Thirty high schools from across the state were honored with the Exemplary Program Award for their performance on the Technical Program Review during the annual Summer Conference, sponsored by KSDE, the Kansas Association of Career and Technical Education and the Kansas Board of Regents.

The ACHS programs receiving Exemplary Program Awards are Agricultural Education, lead instructor Cory Epler, and Business and Computer Technology, lead instructor Karen Cornejo-White.

The Exemplary Program Award was given to schools that surpass the requirements for program approval during the KSDE review of Career and Technical Education. Each year, 20 percent of the schools in the state undergo the Technical Review Program to determine their continued eligibility for state funding and federal Perkins Grants.

This year, fewer than 10 percent of the Career and Technical Education programs undergoing the Technical Program Review achieved the Exemplary Program Award. The schools were awarded a plaque and banner at a ceremony recognizing them for providing high quality educational programs for students.

Superintendent Dr. Ron Ballard said the district has set another standard of excellence for today and for the future.

“ This is clearly shown in the KSDE award to Arkansas City High School for Exemplary Programs in Agricultural Education and Business and Computer Technology,” he said. “These awards verify our standing among the top 10 percent of all high schools in Kansas. The board of education proudly recognizes and salutes this outstanding level of achievement.”