School administrators deliver report at First Friday coffee

Students have occupied the new high school. Local ACT scores are higher than state and national averages. Thirteen percent of students go directly into the local workforce, providing skilled labor for employers.

Public school students are being prepared for the real world in top-rate facilities -- that was the message administrators shared with area business leaders at the monthly First Friday Coffee meeting at the Show Me Center.

"We're preparing the kids and sending them back to you," school superintendent Mark Bowles said told the room full of people.

Central High School principal Mike Cowan said that students at the high school have more programs than other schools. He also praised the new high school facilities.

"We have the finest high school I can imagine," Cowan said.

Cowan said that 66 percent of students go to a four-year college and 6 percent go to a two-year school.

He also pointed to ACT scores, which he said was about 22.5 at Central, compared to the statewide average of 21.5 and 20.8 nationally.

"We fully intend to become the premier No. 1 high school, not in the area, not in the state, but in the U.S.," Cowan said.

Rich Payne, administrator of the Career and Technology Center, said they offer 18 programs that teach students the skills they'll need in the working world

"We're teaching them what you say you need for them to know for them to work for you," Payne said.