SANDPOINT — Being prepared for college can be a daunting task and the Lake Pend Oreille School District is being honored nationally for helping its students with college preparation.

About 130 school districts out of 14,000 in the U.S. were recognized on the College Board's Gaston Caperton Opportunity Honor Roll for Expanding Access to College, for creating opportunities for underrepresented students. The district is being honored for providing rigorous academic offerings and innovative college-preparation programs.

According to a press release, the district increased its number of underrepresented students who took the SAT, took Advanced Placement courses and scored a three or higher on the AP exams. The district also increased the number of underrepresented students who were on track for college by scoring more than 1,500 on the SAT, and increased the number of underrepresented students who sent SAT scores to at least four colleges.

"We want all students to know they have potential," said Jeralyn Mire, post-secondary transition counselor at Sandpoint High School. "We're not a district trying to bump up our scores."

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