CHEC remains #1 in DC - Columbia Heights Educational Campus

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Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CHEC Maintains The Washington Post's  #1 Ranking as D.C.’s Most Challenging College Preparatory High School; In the Top 10 among D.C. Metro Area Schools

Washington, DC, May 23, 2011: The Columbia Heights Educational Campus (CHEC), home to Bell Multicultural High School and Lincoln  Multicultural Middle School, is once again DC’s most academically challenging institution according to the Washington Post's annual rankings.  CHEC was ranked #7 in the D.C. area in the 2011 High School Challenge, the Post’s annual rankings  of high schools.  CHEC also ranks #1 on the national "Catching Up" list of schools with high levels of challenge, serving students with economic needs.  The Post ranks schools, locally and nationally, based on the number of advanced tests including Advanced  Placement, International Baccalaureate and other college-level tests, divided by the number of graduating seniors.

CHEC’s challenge index this year was 4.781 down from 5.595 in 2010 when they ranked  #3 in the area and #37 nationally.  This year marks the fourth straight year that the Post has ranked CHEC as the District’s most challenging High School.  According to Principal Maria Tukeva, "the thrust of AP at CHEC continues to be challenging all students to strive for academic excellence at the highest  possible level in preparation for college.  This accomplishment speaks volumes about the hard work and commitment of our faculty, staff, students, parents and our volunteers.  In earning this distinction, our school community increased an already high  standard of rigor and successfully administered 800 AP tests.  Not keeping still, we are now on the verge of completing 1,000 Access Tests!  I thank our team for showing the CHEC spirit, nationwide."

CHEC’s student body of 1,300 children and youth is the most diverse within the DC Public Schools with 50 countries represented and 24 languages spoken.  The mission of CHEC is that all students who graduate will be prepared to succeed in college  and as leaders in the quest for social justice. We develop intellectually curious scholars who are articulate communicators in two languages, critical thinkers and consumers, cultural ambassadors, and contributing community members. Our students develop  positive habits that build physical and mental health. They demonstrate perseverance, ethics and character in the pursuit of excellence.

For additional questions regarding CHEC or the Challenge Index, please contact Robin Winer at  or (202) 939-7703.
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