Weston MA High School Ranked #1

Posted on August 28, 2012

As was the case in 2010 and 2009, Weston High School has once again ranked #1 in Boston Magazine’s Best Schools 2012. Behind Weston were many nearby schools, including Lexington High (#2), Dover-Sherborn Regional High (#3), Concord-Carlisle High (#4), Wellesley Senior High (#5), Wayland High (#6), Needham High (#14) and Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High (#16). In 2011, Weston Public Schools ranked #3 behind Dover-Sherborn and Concord-Carlisle.

Whereas last year’s issue highlighted the performance and statistics of the entire public school systems, this year’s issue focused on the public high schools. According to Boston Magazine, “We called … all 222 high schools in the area* to determine graduation rates, student-teacher ratios, number of extracurriculars, and so on. And then we crunched the numbers to come up with our proprietary ranking. Since there’s no one measure to rate the quality of a high school, we used a formula that incorporates 13 different data points. We gave the most weight to academics, including performance on the MCAS, the SATs, and AP exams, because a school’s first priority is a proper education. We also factored in both graduation rates and the percentage of students who go to college. This year, we dialed back—slightly—the importance placed on student-teacher ratio and per-pupil spending, because while they do contribute to learning, recent studies show that they’re not educational silver bullets. Finally, we considered the number of sports and clubs offered, since extracurricular activities are essential to teaching teamwork and leadership. They also look good on college applications.”

Since my children attend the Weston public schools, I am admittedly thrilled about Weston High School’s #1 ranking. I’m also curious about your thoughts. Many people consider these school rankings when determining where to live and raise a family. Were they an important factor in your decision on where to settle? And does this year’s Boston Magazine’s analysis of the public high schools seem on target?  I can’t wait to hear….

For more information on these schools or about the real estate market in Weston, Wellesley, Wayland and the surrounding towns, please contact me, Lisa Curlett (781-267-2844 or www.homesalesbylisa.com), to answer any questions or for a complimentary home appraisal.

* Boston Magazine states that it confined its analysis to cities and towns inside I-495.
Posted in Boston Magazine Best of Schools, Weston MA, Weston MA Schools

Weston High School Ranks 5th in Massachusetts

Posted on May 9, 2012

U.S. News & World Report just came out with its Best High Schools report, and it gives Weston High School high marks, ranking it 5th in the state. According to the publication, “We reviewed 21,776 U.S. public high schools; 87 Massachusetts schools made our rankings.” The academic indicators analyzed were College Readiness Index, Math Proficiency, English Proficiency and Student/Teacher Ratio. Per the study, the top 10 high schools in Massachusetts are:

#1 – Sturgis Charter Public School, Hyannis, MA, also ranked #15 nationally

#2 – Boston Latin School, Boston, MA, also ranked #62 nationally

#3 – Hopkinton High School, Hopkinton, MA, also ranked #89 nationally

#4 – Belmont High School, Belmont, MA, also ranked #111 nationally

#5 – Weston High School, Weston, MA, also ranked #132 nationally

#6 – Dover-Sherborn High School, Dover, MA, also ranked #166 nationally

#7 – Sharon High School, Sharon, MA, also ranked #168 nationally

#8 – Mystic Valley Regional Charter School, Malden, MA, also ranked #172 nationally

#9 – The Bromfield School, Harvard, MA, also ranked #206 nationally

#10 – Cohasset High School, Cohasset, MA, also ranked #210 nationally

Wellesley and Needham High Schools also ranked within the top 20 high schools in Massachusetts; specifically Wellesley at #12 and Needham at #17.

Weston High School has also received high marks for the last three years in Boston Magazine’s Best Public Schools feature. In 2011, Weston ranked #3, and in 2010 and 2009, Weston ranked #1.

For more information about the schools or real estate market in Weston, Wellesley, Needham, Dover and the surrounding towns or if you are considering selling your home, please contact me, Lisa Williams (781-267-2844 or www.homesalesbylisa.com), to answer any questions or for a complimentary home appraisal.

Posted in MA Schools, Weston MA, Weston MA Schools

Weston Public Schools Ranked #3

Posted on September 17, 2011

Although Weston High School (pictured above) was ranked #1 in Boston Magazine’s September 2010 and 2009 issues of Boston’s Best Public Schools, this year, the Weston Public Schools ranked #3, behind Dover-Sherborn, which ranked #1, and Concord-Carlisle, which ranked #2.  Several other area schools were ranked this year in the top 10, including Lincoln-Sudbury (#4), Lexington (#5), and Wayland (#7).  Wellesley Public Schools ranked #11 on the list.

Whereas last year’s issue highlighted the performance and statistics of public high schools in the area, this year’s issue seems to have incorporated the entire school system.  According to Boston Magazine, “We compared test scores from elementary, middle, and high schools in 135 districts, then looked within those districts to determine how schools were improving (or not) over time. Next, we called superintendents, principals, teachers, coaches, administrative assistants, and guidance counselors to ask: How many AP classes do you have? Can a kid play freshman sports? Do you offer pre-K of any kind? Will a child’s passion for math, science, or writing be fostered here? ….  Finally, we crunched the data and came up with this, our exclusive ranking of the region’s 50 best school districts.”

It’s interesting because many people consider these school rankings when determining where to live and raise a family.  Were the school rankings a factor in your decision on where to settle?  And do these school rankings seem on target?  I can’t wait to hear….

For more information on these schools or for the best in real estate service, knowledge and experience in Weston, Wellesley and the surrounding towns, please contact Lisa Williams at lisacwilliams@comcast.net, 781-267-2844 or at Pinnacle Residential Properties, 781-237-5000.  And click here for a complimentary search of the MLS real estate listings where you will have access to all homes currently on the market in Weston, Wellesley,  Wayland, Needham, Dover and surrounding communities.

Posted in Boston Magazine Best of Schools, Dover MA, Lincoln MA, Wellesley MA, Weston MA, Weston MA Schools