Four Long Island high schools have been ranked among the top 100 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in its fourth edition of Best High Schools. The rankings identify the leading public schools that prepare students for college success.
To determine the Best High Schools national rankings, schools were first evaluated at the state level in terms of how well students in each school performed on state assessments, taking into account the test scores of disadvantaged students (low-income, Hispanic, and black), who tend to score lower on tests.
High schools that made it through this analysis were then eligible to be ranked nationally, in terms of college readiness.
Rockville Centre’s South Side High School ranked 22 in the nation and 2 in the state, Jericho High School ranked 94 in the nation and 17 in the state, Commack High School ranked 95 and 18 in the state and Locust Valley High School ranked 99 and 20 in the state.
Each of the four Long Island schools is also among 500 nationwide to receive a gold medal, awarded to schools based on highest college readiness. In order to be eligible for a state ranking, a school must be awarded a national gold or silver medal. Silver medals are awarded to high performing schools with lower college readiness and bronze medals are awarded to high performing schools based on state exam performance.
In the U.S. the average student/teacher ratio for all public high schools is 16:1. South Side High School scored better than 75 percent of schools nationwide with a ratio of 12:1, and the school’s college readiness index is 100 percent based upon the IB (International Baccalaureate) exam. College readiness is based upon the percentage of twelfth graders passing the IB or AP (Advanced Placement) exam.
Jericho High School’s student/teacher ratio is 12:1, smaller than the national average; and the school’s college readiness is 74.3 (based on the AP exam).
Commack High School’s student/teacher ratio is 14:1 and its college readiness index is 74.2 (based on the IB exam).
At 13:1 Locust Valley High School’s student/teacher ratio is near the national average; and the school’s college readiness index is 73.7 (based on the IB exam).
South Side High School, which has also been recognized by the United States Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, works with 9th and 10th grade students to prepare them to achieve the New York State Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation and to be successful in IB courses.
According to Carol Burris, Ed.D, principal of South Side High School, the International Baccalaureate Program, an integrated, rigorous academic program benchmarked to world standards, begins in the junior year. “Our students who achieve the IB diploma receive outstanding preparation that serves them well in the most competitive universities in the nation. In addition, nearly all of our students receive the New York State Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation, by passing a series of exams benchmarked to New York State standards. This course of study serves as fine preparation for higher education as well”, said Burris.
In addition to student/teacher ratios and college readiness, Best High Schools compares schools in terms of proficiency on state math and English assessments, enrollment of each grade and offers specific details about each school. The report also includes a list of all the districts in a state and the schools in each district.
According to US News & World Report, children who attend a top high school often graduate with college credits, scholarship money and marketable skills and are better prepared to transition to college and the responsibilities of adulthood. Best High Schools is a valuable, comprehensive resource for families who are moving and for those searching for premiere public schools in their communities.
SOURCES: U.S News.com, LI Herald.com, edline.net/SouthSideHighSchoolSouth Side High School