White Sands School nationally recognized as Exemplary High Performing School

White Sands School, a beacon of educational excellence, has been named a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School.

This prestigious honor, bestowed by the United States Department of Education, is a testament to the school's outstanding performance and unwavering commitment to closing achievement gaps. It is a recognition that White Sands, as a school community, can all take pride in.

Specifically, the school is recognized as an Exemplary High Performing School, which means it is one of the state's highest-performing schools as measured by state assessments. It is one of three schools in New Mexico that received the National Blue Ribbon School recognition.

"Students show solid growth here; we use i-Ready programs in reading and math; it is personalized learning," said James Dickerson, White Sands School Principal. "When we take the diagnostic tests, our students are able to show their proficiency."

White Sands School is an educational institution catering to pre-kindergarten to 8th-grade students. Situated within White Sands Missile Range, it operates as a part of the Las Cruces Public School system.

Aside from focusing on the vertical-alignment of teaching, White Sands School collaborates with the New Mexico State University STEM Outreach Center to offer a STEM after-school program. The school also provides a variety of art-focused electives, a social-emotional learning curriculum and has sports programs in addition to physical education. Ultimately, the dedication of the teachers plays a crucial role in shaping the school's identity and student success.

"We have phenomenal teachers at all grade levels, and I think the sky is the limit. I think this year we will outperform what we did last year," said Dickerson. "Keep in mind, kids go to school not only for education but also for arts, which helps raise graduation rates. It keeps kids going to school. We are happy to have band, choir, art and even a hobbies class with sewing and knitting."

The school prides itself on a diverse student and staff demographic, drawing individuals from various regions nationwide. Uniquely, 35% of the student body comprises active-duty military students who are White Sands Missile Range residents. In comparison, the remaining 65% are the children of employees working at the range.

"One thing that is a big-win here is the eight-second rule, that people feel welcome as soon as they walk in the door," said Dickerson. "It's a triangle. You got the school, parents and teachers/students. If you get them to work together, there is no limit to what we can do. The parent factor is huge out here."

Dickerson states that when parents visit the school and demonstrate their support for their child's education, it conveys that education is a priority and that everyone is working together towards a common goal of helping students achieve their highest potential.

Another unique aspect of White Sands School is the support it receives from the surrounding military community. Dickerson said that everybody in the White Sands Missile Range community wants the kids to be successful and demonstrates their support in a variety of ways.

"There is a lot of support from the WSMR Garrison and all the way around. If I need anything, for instance Space Force helps us with rocketry. Everybody is always willing to lend a helping hand," said Dickerson. "The WSMR Fire Department is at every event we have. In other schools, you really can't schedule anything with outside agencies. But here, with everyone working together, the community and businesses, it makes a huge difference."

By Vanessa Flores, White Sands Missile Range Public Affairs - Guest Contributor

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