Sylvia Morrison, principal of Northwest High School, is this year’s winner of the Mark Mann Excellence and Harmony Award, given annually to one local school administrator who has shown an exceptional ability to encourage academic excellence, positive human relations, and strong community outreach.

Morrison came to Northwest High School after serving as a teacher and assistant principal at a number of schools. She opened Shady Grove Middle School as its new principal in 1999.

Once at Northwest, she quickly took the lead in initiating a broad range of programs to ensure student success. In her four years at Northwest High School, the graduation rate has increased significantly, while the dropout rate has decreased. A greater number of students are taking the SAT and enrolling in Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) classes. For example, from 2002-2005, the number of African American students enrolled in at least one Honors- or AP-level class increased by 22 percent.

Northwest was the county’s first high school to initiate and embrace the Collaborative Action Process, a plan established to identify incoming freshmen with academic difficulties and guide them throughout their high school years. Morrison influenced development of the school’s five new academies of biotechnology, finance, commercial and fine arts, child development studies, and engineering.

Morrison initiated a schoolwide, bimonthly advisory period to enhance students’ knowledge on issues such as drug use, drunk driving, and study skills. She also helped launch additional SAT preparation courses within the school.

Morrison is recognized for building strong relationships and being actively involved in all aspects of the school community. She has established countless organizations and programs to build relations among students, teachers, parents, and administrators. Her effort to involve teachers and parents in students’ learning is evident every day in the classroom, at departmental meetings, and at parent seminars.

In the area of community outreach, Northwest, with Morrison’s guidance, has developed an outreach program with Black Rock Center for the Arts. Professional artists work with students, and students are able to exhibit their work at Black Rock’s gallery. The Columbia Center for Performing Arts also has adopted the school and created an outreach program.

Northwest also has partnered with Longview School for students with severe to profound disabilities. Through the program, Longview high school-age students visit Northwest and interact with other students their age. In turn, Northwest students visit Longview and engage the students in activities.