As our school district gears up for the of three and a , is notably not present in the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings.
The survey looked at over 22,000 high schools across 49 states (Nebraska was omitted) and dishes out 500 gold medals. Institutions are ordered based upon state exam performance and students' readiness for college. Our high-ranking neighbors include Dobbs Ferry at 16th in the state, Irvington at 30th, and Pleasantville at 33rd.
District Superintendent Howard Smith said historically we have ranked within the top 500, but this year he doesn't believe we submitted data to be considered in the first place. “In the past, we've been ranked anywhere between 250 and 350.” There are a lot of such rankings all with their own criteria, Smith said, and he doesn't think this particular one holds more weight than others.
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How does Sleepy Hollow High compare with these other ranked schools? One might think the most notable difference between us and our neighbors is our minority and economically disadvantaged, but Smith refuses to characterize this as determinant in our success as a school system. “We're always cautious about labeling kids and characterizing it in that way,” he said. “It's very problematic.”
Smith pointed to a different set of statistics where we do very well: “For the school size we have, we have a high graduation rate, high participation in college-preparatory courses, we are always in the mid-90 percent range for sending kids to college,” Smith said. “For a lot of variables, we're right there.”
Another point of pride for Smith: our school is unique in the amount of kids who will be attending college for the first time in their family history.
A summary of the U.S. News and World Report findings for Sleepy Hollow High School:
College Readiness:
College readiness index: 34.9
Math proficiency: 3.2 (93%)
English proficiency: 3.3 (91%)
AP participation: 42%
Student Body:
51% male / 49% female
Total minority: 67%
35% economically disadvantaged
Student-Teacher:
828 total enrollment
53 full-time teachers
Student/teacher ratio: 16:1
And how this compares to our our highest-ranking neigbhors:
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: 16th in the state, 83rd in the nation
In summary, Dobbs Ferry has 467 students, 26% of which are minorities and 10% economically disadvantaged. They have 94% proficiency in English, 98% in Math, and a College Readiness index of 77.3. Student-Teacher ratio: 12:1
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: 30th in the state, 182nd in the nation
Irvington has 606 students, 18% minority, 3% economically disadvantaged. 97% English proficiency, and 96% in Math. College Readiness: 61.0. Student-Teacher ratio: 12:1
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l: 33rd in the state, 199th in the nation
620 students, 11% minority, 4% economically disadvantaged. 99% English proficiency, 98% in Math. College-Readiness: 59.7. Student-Teacher ratio: 12:1
For a closer look at all the New York high schools on the survey, click here.
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