Although there are some excellent private high schools in our area, such as my alma mater, Rockhurst. Some of the public schools have endured challenges. For instance, the KCMO school district has lost it's accreditation.

However, there are public schools in our area that are excelling! There are five high schools in the Shawnee Mission school district in Overland Park Ks. There is Shawnee Mission, North, South, East, West, and Northwest. The community can take pride in the fact that this week the Washington Post has named four of the five schools as "America's Most Challenging Schools." Only 11 schools in Kansas were good enough to receive this honor.

This recognition is determined by the number of Advanced Placement Exams taken by our students each year. Shawnee Mission West also won the 6A State Championship in football this year. Principal, Dr. Charles Mc Lean was prompted to say, "This is another piece of data to support our claim that West is Best!?

Marcus Austin ####