Newsweek Magazine released its rankings last week.

By Ronni Newton

Fifteen Connecticut schools were listed among the top 500 high schools in the country according to Newsweek, and West Hartford’s Hall High School was among them, coming in at no. 416.

Newsweek bases its rankings on a number of factors, including graduation rate, college enrollment rate, student retention rate, SAT/ACT scores, and counselr-to-student ratio.

The methodology changed beginning with the 2014 rankings, and last year neither Hall nor Conard made the list because data could not be submitted on time.

“We are so proud of Hall being named to the Newsweek list of best American high schools, confirming what we already know about Hall,” said West Hartford Superintent of Schools Tom Moore.

“We are equally proud of Conard, and will be trying to figure out what part of the methodology, including students moving into and out of the high school during grades 9-12, might have kept it off the list. We are thrilled that our schools continue to receive national recognition. Congratulations to Dan Zittoun, all Hall teachers, parents and students on a job well done,” Moore said.

Weston High School, in the no. 47 spot, received the highest ranking among Connecticut schools. Hartford area schools on the list include Connecticut IB Academy (no. 158), Simsbury High School (no. 273), and Farmington High School (no. 312).

Thomas Jefferson High School in Alexandria, VA, earned the top spot in the Newsweek ranking.

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