J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation Announces the
‘Go On’ Challenge Winners

Eight Schools will receive $100,000 for increasing students’ probabilities to succeed in postsecondary education and training

December 9, 2011 (Boise, Idaho) — The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation today announced the winners of the ‘Go On’ Challenge that 55 Idaho high schools participated in this past school year (2010-2011).

The intent of the contest was to encourage high schools to measurably increase the number of Idaho students who go on to postsecondary training or education.

Schools competed in at least one of the following categories:

• Increased the number of students taking the ACT, PLAN, PSAT or SAT
• Increased the number of students who completed advanced opportunities coursework in AP, Dual Credit and/or Tech Prep
• Increased the number of students who completed coursework in upper-level math and science

The above three areas were selected for their proven effectiveness in helping to prepare, motivate and challenge students to Go On, and in helping students who have already entered college be less apt to drop out or need remediation.

Winners demonstrated the most significant improvement over the 2009-2010 school year in one of the three categories and were awarded $100,000 to spend as they wish. Schools competed against schools with similar enrollment sizes, and all schools competed for the “most-improved overall” award.

“We want to thank the 55 schools who participated in this challenge,” said Jamie MacMillan, the Foundation’s executive director. “They all worked hard, and we appreciate their efforts and hope that this will make a significant difference in future students going on. We are proud to be the sponsor of this initiative.”

Most Improvement Overall Winner ($100,000)
School: Idaho Distance Education Academy

Students Completing College Entrance Exams (ACT, PLAN, PSAT, SAT)
School: Notus Jr. Sr. High School (small school category)
School: Madison High School (large school category)

Students completing AP, Dual Credit and/or Tech Prep Classes
School: Clark Fork Jr./Sr. High (small school category)
School: Canyon Ridge High School (TIED: large school category)
School: Lakeland High School (TIED: large school category)

Students completing upper-level classes in math and/or science
School: Kimberly High School (small school category)
School: Vallivue High School (large school category)

Schools that were at an earlier stage of development and not as ready to compete in the three categories of the Challenge also had a way to win in the “Go On Schools” category. The grand prize of $15,000 was awarded to Initial Point Academy in Kuna. The second prize of $10,000 went to Central Academy in Meridian and the $5,000 prize for honorable mention was awarded to Meridian Academy.

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The “Go On” Challenge is an initiative by the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation to boost enrollment in post-secondary education and training opportunities in the state. With this initiative, the Foundation and our partners seek to bring the issue to the forefront, inspiring students, parents, educators and all Idaho citizens to continue their education. www.go-on-idaho.org

Read The Success Stories of Winning Schools: www.go-on-idaho.org/the-challenge.php