Gravette High honored for state-top performance; teachers and program win $10,000 Build My Future grant

The Gravette School District board opened its regular meeting by congratulating Gravette High after administrators announced the school placed in the top 10% statewide on the state—s high-school grade card.

The board invited several teachers and staff forward to describe practices they credited for the result. "It's a school wide effort," one speaker said, calling out deeper alignment to standards and a new curriculum that "is making them think hard." English teacher Miss Jones, who introduced herself during the meeting, said teacher autonomy has been important: "One of the things we need to continue to have that you all have given us is the autonomy to prepare our own curriculum to select the text that we have," she said.

Unidentified staff members and the board also highlighted classroom practices including hands-on learning and "building thinking" approaches in math that officials said have encouraged student discussion and engagement. Staff noted practical needs exposed during testing windows; a biology teacher urged more headphones for students taking reading-heavy interim assessments so students can hear passages and better access exam content.

In related workforce-preparation news, the district announced it had received a $10,000 grant from Build My Future to purchase welders and related equipment for the district—s agricultural and career-technical programs. A district speaker said the grant was the largest award made by the organization in Northwest Arkansas this year and described the grant as an opportunity for seniors to connect with industry partners and potential employment.

Board members and staff said the recognition and the grant underscore the district—s emphasis on both academic readiness and career pathways. No formal board action was required for the recognition; the grant award was reported to the board as an informational item.

The board indicated it will continue to examine how curriculum choices, staffing and resources can sustain and build on the high-school gains during upcoming planning sessions.