Principal of Inspiration Award-Winning School Describes 'Stretch Culture Initiative'
Ken Johnson, principal of Berkmar High School, spoke on Friday, Feb. 20, about his school’s “Stretch Culture” initiative, a program that earned Berkmar the 2008 College Board Inspiration Award.
Berkmar High School is located in Lilburn, Ga., part of the metropolitan Atlanta area. The school has a diverse enrollment of nearly 3,000 students, of whom 36 percent are African American, 28 percent are Hispanic and 14 percent are Asian. Sixty-four percent of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunches.
Berkmar High School’s expectation of high student achievement has increased measurably through the school’s “Stretch Culture” initiative, in which students are identified for Advanced Placement Program® courses using testing data, teacher evaluations and student preferences. The school aggressively challenges all students to meet their potential.
The responsibility that comes with preparing students for college success is a task that the school has wholeheartedly embraced. The rigorous curriculum and small class sizes at Berkmar provide students with a foundation for success. Students are offered mentoring relationships with teachers, enabling students to better meet
academic demands.
