BUCKFIELD — Buckfield Junior Senior High School was awarded a Bronze Medal Designation from U.S. News and World Report for student performance and preparation for college-level work.

“It is an honor for our school and community to be recognized for making Buckfield Junior-Senior High School a great place for students to learn,” Principal George Reuter said in an email.

Included among the criteria for being chosen, according to the U.S. News and World Report, were:

* Whether students were performing better than statistically expected for students in the state;

* Whether disadvantaged students were outperforming average scores of other disadvantaged students in the state; and

*How well the school prepares students for college-level work.

Reuter said teachers at the school believe all students can perform at a high level. A number of hands-on learning activities are used, and staff collaborate with each other on learning projects, he said.

The school’s garden may also have figured into the medal award.

“Our garden is used in many classrooms with different activities to provide students with meaningful learning experiences,” Reuter wrote.

Also, he said an emphasis on the visual and performing arts by students, as well as participation in an annual research night, Maine Maple Sunday, National History Day competitions and other student-teacher activities provide a great diversity of learning activities.

In addition, he said numerous interventions are put into place for struggling students and students receive individualized attention.

“The most important factors for success are the community, families and staff who are dedicated, caring and supportive of great students who want to learn,” Reuter wrote.

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