Principal credits prayer for his school's A rating

A group of moms began praying, and students' test scores improved, he says.

Lois K. Solomon
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

September 6, 2005

BOCA RATON -- Students may have worked hard, but it was God who led Boca Raton High School to its A grade from the state and numerous other accomplishments, Principal Geoff McKee said.

McKee, a public-school principal for the past four years, came under fire last year for his references to God in his meetings with teachers.

But he says he also received accolades from Christians across the country, who, he said, prayed for the school's success.

McKee, 42, believes the widespread prayer efforts achieved a miracle for the formerly C-rated school, which received B's in 2003 and 2004. He said the school district had anticipated a D for Boca Raton High last year after students took diagnostic exams designed to predict scores on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test later in the year.

Upon hearing that news, McKee said he called on the local branch of an international Christian group, Moms in Touch, to pray for students to do well on the exams, and the group complied.

"There was a lot of prayer for the school and staff to achieve their God-given potential," said Moms in Touch member Lori Degler, whose two children attend Boca Raton High. "We give credit to hard work, but it's spurred on by the spirit of the Lord."

Moms in Touch was not the only group to pray for Boca High. McKee said churches, local and national Christian radio stations and campus groups also voiced their support.

"I never felt so bathed in prayer as I did last year," McKee said. "The outcome would have been different. It wouldn't have been as great a year."

Superintendent Art Johnson said McKee is free to express his beliefs as long as he does not try to convert teachers or students.

"His beliefs are a credit to him as a man and a human being, and I will leave those in the personal realm," Johnson said.

McKee credits several school improvements to prayer: The dropout and truancy rates and number of fights decreased, enrollment in Advanced Placement classes doubled and sports teams won five district titles, up from two the previous year.

Still, some students say McKee's emphasis on the power of prayer minimizes the amount of studying and practicing they did.

"Praying helps, but all the hard work changed things for the better," senior Jessica Summers said.

"You can't totally depend on prayer to help you achieve," senior Emily Kirkland said. "A lot of people would be offended by that."

McKee believes the Holy Spirit, angels and meditation lead people to act to fulfill God's intentions, which include students enjoying school and excelling in their studies.

When students gave up information on stolen objects and upcoming fights last year, McKee said they were satisfying God's will.

"God gave us the power to study effectively and test well," McKee said. "One hundred percent of my success is attributable to God."


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