Pike Liberal Arts School in Troy has been named one of the Alabama Independent School Association’s 2008-09 Blue Ribbon Schools.

Dee Bennett, PLAS assistant headmaster, said a Blue Ribbon school exemplifies excellence in teaching, student performance, school life and school and community interaction.

“A Blue Ribbon school winner is an excellent school involved in an on-going process of school improvement,” Bennett said. “The faculty, staff and students at PLAS know that we have great things going on at Pike Liberal Arts because we are here every day. But to receive this honor verifies to the community, our parents and prospective students that we are an excellent school. We are very proud to receive this statewide recognition.”

PLAS was one of 18 schools to receive the honor, which covers an assessment of various areas of school activity.

“The Blue Ribbon schools program is a annual recognition and there is an application process for the award,” Bennett said. “We made application on Dec. 1 and the application was reviewed by an AISA committee and we were recognized with the award on Jan. 7.”

Bennett said the assessment includes curriculum, facility, an on-going improvement plan, teacher certification, SAT scores and progress in technology growth.

“In the application, you have to give evidence in all the different areas and show that the school is working through the different areas reviewed by the committee to see if the school meets all of the criteria to become a Blue Ribbon school,” Bennett said. “To be named a Blue Ribbon school is a great honor. Headmaster Ceil Sikes and I, along with the faculty, staff and parents, have worked together for the last two years to obtain this recognition. It has been a team effort.”

Pike Liberal Arts School has 465 students in K4 through 12th grade. The school offers an advanced diploma as well as a standard diploma.

“When students reach the 12th grade, they may choose dual enrollments and attended classes at Troy University,” Bennett said. “Our students score 75 percent or higher in all subjects in all grade levels on SAT10 and we are very proud of their accomplishments.”