Austin, TX—David Crockett High School has been named a National Outstanding High School and the Texas Urban High School of the Year for 2011 by the Southern Regional Education Board's High Schools That Work. The board, an interstate compact of 16 southern states, awards these recognitions only to select high schools that have shown effective and continuous progress in improving the academic achievement of all students on their campuses.

The mission of High Schools That Work is to create a culture of high expectations that motivates students to make the effort to succeed in school. Crockett, under the leadership of principal Craig Shapiro, was the only high school in Texas named Urban High School of the Year for 2011, and one of only 13 high schools in the nation named a National Outstanding High School.

The awards recognize the south Austin school's significant increase in its graduation rate; the percentage of students meeting college readiness standards as measured by the ACT and SAT; students passing state-approved employer certification exams; and significant improvement on state assessments.

"This competitive and highly prestigious award offers confirmation of the strong leadership and hardworking staff members at Crockett High School," Board Trustees Secretary representing District 6 Lori Moya said. "The Board of Trustees commends the teachers, staff members, students and administrators for their outstanding achievement."