Principal Rick Fleming’s day suddenly became better than he might have imagined. After sending a letter to Commissioner of Education Pamela Stewart, he became informed of West Shore’s new status. Not only is the school one of the top 50 in the country, but it has also been dubbed a National Blue Ribbon School. Twice.

“I am beyond ecstatic,” Fleming said Friday. “This is such a big announcement for our faculty, students, parents and our whole Wildcat nation. We are all past and present, once a Wildcat always a Wildcat, and now we have been named a Blue Ribbon School for the second time.”

The award originated with President George W. Bush’s “No Child Left Behind” program. Recipient schools have shown sustained academic excellence. It depends on how many students are recognized in proficient in their grade.

“This is important because it tops all rankings,” Fleming said. “It is the pinnacle of school success. Sixty-seven counties in Florida, and average of 15 high schools in each, do the math. We are the one public high school in Florida to get it.”

West Shore will the only Florida high school to be nationally recognized on Nov. 13.