LONDONDERRY — Londonderry High School's 1,800 students roared to a thundering standing ovation the morning of May 15, during the school's spring pep rally.
That's when they found out something they've always suspected was true — that their school is No. 1. Now it's official.
Londonderry High was named the 2008 New Hampshire High School of Excellence.
Dr. Michael Jette, chairman of the secondary school selection committee and principal of Merrimack Valley High School in Penacook, told the packed gymnasium that there are many things the committee looks for in the winning school.
"We looked at the school climate, the seniors specifically," he said. "Your pep rallies rock."
Jette also said that they look for a school with strong leadership and decision making skills.
He mentioned the book, "Good to Great: Why Some companies Make the Leap and Others Don't" by James Collins.
"Your organization hires from within," Jette said. "You are replacing your retiring principal, Jim Elefante, with Jay Parent, who is already an assistant principal here. You're on the path from good to great."
Parent later said, "It's more like great to great."
In addition to commending the faculty, school board and superintendent, Jette said the community involvement with the high school was key is "making it the best school it can be."
"It goes beyond test scores," Jette said. "It's the school band that is great and the athletes."
The school was presented with a banner from the New Hampshire Excellence in Schools Awards Program — known as the EDies — who recognizes schools of excellence and McDonald's restaurants of New Hampshire that has been sponsoring the EDies since 1994.
Karen Haddad, owner and operator of the Londonderry McDonald's, was on hand for the presentation.
"It's great to have a school in the same town as our restaurant win," Haddad said. "McDonald's likes to be involved in community activities."
"It's nice to have a banner that tells the world what we already know," said School Board member John Robinson.
Robinson was joined at the ceremony by School Board chairman George Herrmann.
"This is a big transition time for the district with Jim (Elefante) retiring," Herrmann said. "He goes out on top. He's already won Elementary School Principal of the Year, High School Principal of the Year and now High School of the Year."
Superintendent Nate Greenberg said that the recognition validates the district's outstanding faculty and students.
"I congratulate all the people involved in the day-to-day operation of the school," he said.
Elefante then rang an old-fashioned school bell, borrowed from Holly Dunlea, an English teacher and Julie Heon, curriculum director, both of Pembroke Academy which one the award last year.
Londonderry High will receive its own bell award in the near future. All finalists for Schools of Excellence will be honored at the 15th annual EDies awards program on June 7.
"This is truly a community award," Elefante said. "We have the best kids and this is great for the whole community."
Assistant Principal Art Psaledas was less subtle.
"We can honestly say, 'We are No. 1, baby!'," he shouted into the microphone as the students began leaving the gym.
