PARKERSBURG, WV – Pressley Ridge at White Oak, a residential treatment facility for troubled youth, has been named a School of Excellence for 21st Century Learning for the 2007-2008 school year by the West Virginia Department of Education.

Schools of Excellence for 21st Century Learning are selected based on criteria including: a rigorous and challenging curriculum, a safe and drug-free environment, participatory leadership, active teaching and learning, an environment that strengthens teacher skills, documented student achievement and implementing advanced and innovative programs.

Located in Mountwood Park, W. Va., about 15 miles east of Parkersburg, the school at Pressley Ridge is staffed and administered by the West Virginia Office of Institutional Education Programs. The school provides educational services to 61 children receiving treatment or diagnostic assessment at Pressley Ridge’s residential program at White Oak.

Though separate entities, the staff at the school and residential program work collaboratively to provide treatment and education services to troubled children from the state of West Virginia. Both programs strive to help children function more successfully in their communities and return to less-restrictive living and school environments.

“This award is a significant achievement for both the school and residential program staff,” said B. Scott Finnell, president and chief executive officer of Pressley Ridge, which has its headquarters in Pittsburgh. “It validates the hard work and collaborative effort between the school and residential program staff to help troubled children function successfully and live up to their potential.”

The school at Pressley Ridge was one of just 13 schools named a School of Excellence for 21st Century Learning. Individual school applications were reviewed by a reading panel over a two-day period, resulting in 13 site visits. During the site visits, all 13 schools provided site visitors with verification and documentation to support a final recommendation for recognition.

For more information, please contact Jim Schuyler at (412) 872-9413.

For more information about the West Virginia Office of Institutional Education Programs, please visit http://wvde.state.wv.us/institutional/.