By Davi Stuhlsatz

ANDOVER – For the second year in a row, Andover Central Middle School has received the Governor’s Achievement Award.

ACMS was one of 11 middle/junior high schools honored with the 2010-11 award as a top performing school in the state.

“Honestly, it’s due to the hard work and commitment of the teachers and staff,” said first-year principal, Tim Hayden. “They go above and beyond. If students fail, the teachers feel like they’ve failed. The teachers will take any challenge to help kids grow.”

Hayden also credited former principal Doug Baber, a Derby resident who retired this past year.

“I inherited a great group of students and staff who are the driving force behind our success,” said Hayden. “Doug set the bar pretty high.”

Baber had served as principal of ACMS since it opened in 2001 and had been with the district for 23 years and in education for more than 31 years.

To receive the Governor’s Achievement Award, schools must have achieved the Standard of Excellence in both reading and mathematics for 2011. 

Additionally, the school must have made Adequate Yearly Progress in both reading and mathematics and one additional measure. For middle/junior high schools, the additional AYP measure is attendance. 

Finally, the school must have been among the top 5 percent of schools in both reading and mathematics on the 2011 state assessments at its respective level, i.e. elementary schools, middle/junior high schools, or high schools.

“I’m excited for our staff and students,” Hayden said. “It will be tough, but I hope we’ll win the governor’s award a third time next year.”

Prior to taking the helm at ACMS this school year, Hayden had earned other honors. He was a Kansas Horizon Award recipient in 2002-2003 and was named Kansas Middle School Principal of the Year in 2010-2011.