Best High Schools: Frequently Asked Questions

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I was very encouraged by this article and would like to see it year over year to see how/if the schools are improving. I would like to understand the decison in calling the schools 'disadvantage' based on the fact that they are inclusive and representative of all and that that somehow means they are disadvantaged. Lastly, it would be wonderful if there were also a middle school ratings process, after all if the student haven't been prepared prior to entering high school they are greatly impacted. Thanks for the information, it was greatly appreciated and timely!

lee nesbit of PA 12:29PM January 02, 2008

My name is Paul Casseri, and I am the Principal of Lewiston-Porter High School in Youngstown,NY. Our school has traditionally cracked the top 1000 on the Newsweek Poll. Most recently were 486. I would like to see how we were ultimately rated with the USN@WR methodology. A neighboring district not ranked through Newsweek cracked your top 1000 and we do not. My Superintendent and Board of Ed asked me and I had no response. Please let me know if you can help me with an explanation.

Paul Casseri of NY 11:01AM January 02, 2008

Where does College Preparatory School, located in or around Oakland rate? I don't see it listed in the top l00. Which high school -- with a good science program -- is the highest rated in Alameda and/or Oakland?...

Susan McIntosh of CA 12:19AM December 29, 2007

Your Article failed to address, or even mention, Math and Science Technology Charter High School in Philadelphia, PA. It was selected as the oustanding Charter School in the nation for 2007!!!
With the current interest on Charter Schools, which are basically public schools primarily answering to the parents rather than the school board, this is a MAJOR error!

Al Reneski of PA 1:49PM December 24, 2007

The title of this list is very misleading. According to this criteria if your students are not black, hispanic or poor, you can't have a good school.
This is a limited list of schools that perform better than people outside the school expect them to. A list of high schools that beat the odds sounds like a good story however this list should be called "Best Disadvantaged High Schools"

Doug of TX 12:25PM December 24, 2007

Jackson High School in Jackson Twp Stark County Ohio was not mentioned. I guess I wonder how you are able to come up with this list if ALL schools are not rated

Galen J Gozdan of OH 12:17PM December 24, 2007

Why are only 40 of the 50 states included in your assesment? Is there some special reason the smaller states were left out?

Ricky of NY 11:58AM December 24, 2007

Congratulations to Adlai E Stevenson High School, enrollment 4510, for being named #77. Stevenson is one of the largest schools in Illinois.
The "small schools are better" mantra is often something you will here from the ignorant and uninformed who use this as an excuse to raise taxes and build unnecessary schools.
Larger schools offer a greater breadth of programs and opportunities for students to learn. Schools like New Trier and Stevenson are proof of that!

Samantha Adams of IL 1:12PM December 23, 2007

Am I the only one wondering why the best public high school, my alma mater, Hunter High in NYC, could have been missed?
Can't wait for the answer.
Thanks for allowing me to ask.

Linda W. Spiegler of DC 11:08PM December 20, 2007

How and where can i find a complete list of all the winners receiving gold, silver and bronze?? I am doing a story in journalism because my school received a silver, but I can not find what number we received.

Brittany of NV 12:31AM December 19, 2007