Midstate high schools on Newsweek’s top 500 list? Not this time

Weston High School was ranked the best in the state and 47th best in the country according to a survey conducted by Newsweek magazine.

New Century, which operates from the Lee High School campus on Meridian Street, was ranked No. 127 nationally.

Those high schools were then ranked based a college readiness index that considers six indicators: college enrollment rate at 25 percent, graduation rate at 20 percent, weighted AP/IB/Dual enrollment composite at 17.5 percent, weighted SAT/ACT composite at 17.5 percent, student retention at 10 percent and counselor-to-student ratio at 10 percent.

To be considered for the list, schools needed to perform at the 70th percentile within their state in reading/language arts and math. Schools that passed that mark were surveyed for college-readiness data.

Newsweek evaluated schools on a range of criteria in order to identify schools that excel at preparing students for college.

Last time Fair Lawn High School was on the list in 2013 it was ranked at 876.

“We are very pleased that KM Global is being recognized at the national level”, said Superintendent Patricia Deklotz.

So why didn’t any midstate high schools make the cut?

Although Kobza is aware that not all BHHS students will go to college – some may chose trade schools or enter the workforce – he wants all students to be prepared upon graduation.

No other high schools in San Mateo County were included in the top 500 ranking, but Los Altos and Mountain View high schools in Santa Clara County were identified for their excellence. Overall he is proud of the high school’s standing on the list but feels that the work for student success starts early. Thomas Jefferson High School in Alexandria, Virginia, won top honors as the best in the nation. “Our focus is in providing the very best education to each student in our school system”, he said.

“All schools are academically rigorous, have a strong record of preparing their students for college and career, and possess teachers who are committed to continuous improvement through professional development”, she said.