Delano High School has been honored as one of the best achieving schools in the country.
U.S. News and World Report magazine evaluated over 21,000 high schools and Delano High was the only Kern County school mentioned.
DHS was ranked according to its state math and reading exam scores as well as its ability to advance economically disadvantaged students.
Principal Brian Beck said the reason why he thinks Delano is so successful, "is because they put so much effort and so much work into taking every student from whereever they start and helping them realize their potential.''
Octavio Viramontes is a student whose primary language is Spanish. After being at Delano High for only two years, he has already won several honors and awards and is thinking of Harvard as his next step.
He said, "the teachers here helped me develop my English ... They helped me to develop a future now that I'm learning the English language and traditions."
Principal Beck attributes his schools success to the curriculum Delano follows which is closely in line with the states academic standards.
He says the faculty has also worked hard in helping students achieve academic success.
''Rest assure that we're not doing what we're doing to receive a bronze medal from U.S. News and World Report," said Principal Beck. "we're doing what we're doing because we know it's the best thing for students."
Delano High Student Chelsea Patricio said, "I'm here because I want to be here and I want to succeed."
While Delano High has been recognized as one of the better schools in the country Principal Beck said that Delano's greatest challenge will now be to maintain that level of excellence and improve upon the school in years to come.
