Greco-Roman High School is dedicated to preparing students for a lifetime of success. In three short years, principal Chris Edwards has transformed an average public school, with average test scores, into an academic and athletic powerhouse. Greco-Roman, in Staunton, Virginia, represents a new breed of American school: aggressively competitive and driven to excel.

The competitive nature of the instructional program is everywhere apparent. Math classes begin with problem solving matches. Poetry assignments are actually poetry contests. History classes challenge one another to Jeopardy-style tournaments. E-messages on graphic billboards reinforce the message: "Life is competitive and so is this school." "Strive!" "Never settle for average."

Nothing is as deadly serious as grades. Individual test scores are reported by rank, based on a comparison of each student’s performance rather than by letter grade or objective standard. Ranks for every test and assignment are immediately posted on the school’s computerized video system with the name of each student clearly identified. The academic students with the highest rankings are called the "Live Five." This designation grants them special privileges, such as free desserts and choice seating in classrooms. The "Poor Four," the lowest ranking academic students, are required to wear "I must work harder" sweatshirts and attend tutoring classes and self-confidence workshops. Students who remain on the "Poor Four" list more than a month are transferred to another high school.

Each student is required to participate in one sport and one academic competition. As with classwork, athletic and intellectual success is everything. When this year’s Future Problem Solving team returned from the 2015 state bowl without placing in the finals, the team posted an entry on Greco-Roman’s web page apologizing for "letting the school down."

Teachers at the school also compete. When two classes scored below the 75th percentile on a state-mandated science test, their teachers were fired. On the other hand, a teacher received a $10,000 bonus when her class averaged above 92 percent on the same test.

Students are never punished for fighting at Greco-Roman. Instead, they are required to enter "The Forum," a boxing ring rolled into the gym every Friday afternoon. Contenders are allowed to choose their own weapon: brain power or boxing gloves. Disputes end with a spirited debate or a six round slug-out. About 20% of the students choose the latter.

Opponents of the school have criticized virtually every aspect of the Greco-Roman technique—except the results. State and national honors fill the school’s trophy case and Greco-Roman leads the region in national merit scholars. Graduates have earned a reputation for hard work and discipline in some of the nation’s most rigorous colleges.

But is there a dark side to the Greco-Roman approach? Identify possible problems for students and teachers in the highly competitive environment of the school. Solve one problem that could make an important difference if it were solved.

One more thing: consider another characteristic of the school that sets it apart from others in the region: Greco-Roman High is an all-girls school — no males are admitted.

© 2001 Future Problem Solving of Virginia