EDGARD — It’s not the end; it’s the beginning.

For the stakeholders (better termed: family) at West St. John High School, the school’s September recognition as a “top school for low-income students” and this month’s all-out party that included the Ram Week Kick-Off Community Celebration, included the message: The accomplishment is being celebrated now, but the success will come in the future.

West St. John was ranked 50 out of 500 schools recognized, receiving special recognition from Newsweek for low-income students scoring at or above average on state assessments.

With a college readiness score 96.6, a college-bound student percentage of 79.82, a graduation rate of 75.2 and a poverty percentage of 95.28, WSJ’s rank is extra impressive, St. John Schools Superintendent Kevin George said, when taking into account the school has no selective admissions process.

When addressing the students two Fridays ago, George again brought up the perceived disadvantage.

“I know there are schools that receive vouchers, and that’s all right,” George said during his closing comment at the school’s celebration Nov. 14.

“I don’t know if you saw the rankings, but there are F schools that these students are going to. Our money goes to send them to F schools, and we have a 50th ranked school in the nation. It is an awesome responsibility we have here. I am so proud to be the superintendent of St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools.

“I am so proud to be the superintendent of West St. John High, a school that is one of the best in the country.”

The sense of pride was something that was reiterated time and time again at the kick-off celebration.

Assistant Principal Brian Carter spoke to parents and then students: “I welcome my parents. To you, I say, you are sending your kids to the best. I welcome my students. I know when my students wake up and ask, ‘Where am I going?’ their parents can tell them, ‘You are going to the best.’”

Parish President Natalie Robottom encouraged students to come back to their community, following schooling, to continue the improvement: “We’ve always known — and now the country knows — about West St. John. This is the beginning, not the end.”

West Bank Civic Association President Chermaine Roybiskie said, “I just want to tell those parents who have their kids somewhere else: You don’t know what you’re missing.”

Outside of the guest speakers, the November program featured performances by the high school band, dance team, majorettes, cheerleaders and the West St. John Elementary School majorettes.

However, the most reflective story shared came from teacher, coach and alumnus Denarold Anderson.

“When I went off to college, people would ask where I was from, and when I’d tell them, they’d say, ‘Where’s Edgard?’” Anderson said. “Then I’d tell them I went to West St. John High and they’d say, ‘Oh yeah, you’re the school with the good football team.’ Now, we are not only the school with the good football team. We are the school that is one of the best academically.��

Newsweek indicated its rankings identify U.S. public high schools that do the best job of preparing students for college while overcoming the obstacles posed by socioeconomic inequality.

The publication ranked West St. John High School one of the top schools in the country working to “narrow the achievement gap.”