Both West Hartford high schools were once again ranked in the top 15 in the state, and in the top 5% nationally in the 2020 U.S. News & World Report ranking of the country’s public high schools.
By Ronni Newton
West Hartford’s two public high schools – Conard High School and Hall High School – continue their legacy of earning top rankings in the state as well as nationally in the U.S. News & World Report 2020 list of the nation’s best high schools released Tuesday.
Hall and Conard were once again both ranked among the top 15 high schools in the state, with Hall moving up from no. 11 to no. 8 in this year’s rankings, and Conard remaining no. 13.
“There are more than 24,000 public secondary schools in the United States, and for both to be in the top 5% of American high schools is just fantastic. I can’t imagine there’s another community in New England like this,” Superintendent Tom Moore said.
West Hartford Public Schools have a high level of diversity, and currently about 27% of students qualify for free and reduced lunch. There are 74 different primary languages spoken in the homes of students’ families.
“We’re very proud to have two of the best high schools in America right here in West Hartford,” Moore said.
The vast majority of all public high schools in the country are ranked according to U.S. News’ 2020 methodology.
“In coordination with North Carolina-based RTI International, a global nonprofit social science research firm, U.S. News ranked approximately 17,790 public high schools out of more than 24,000 reviewed. This is the count of public high schools that had a 12th grade enrollment of 15 or greater, or otherwise had sufficient enrollment in other high school grades during the 2017-2018 school year to be analyzed,” U.S. News stated.
Hall High School 2020 U.S. News scorecard
As was the case with the 2019 rankings, each school was assigned a numerical score. This year’s score was based on the number of students who took at least on Advanced Placement (AP) exam, the number of students who passed at least one AP exam, and graduation rate. Mathematics and reading proficiency were also factors in the score.
Both Conard and Hall received A-plus grades.
In addition to being ranked no. 8 in the state, Hall is ranked no. 457 nationally, and no. 3 in the Hartford Metro area – behind Connecticut IB Academy in East Hartford, a magnet school, which is ranked no. 1 in the state, and Simsbury High School, which is ranked no. 6 in 2020.
Overall, 74% of Hall students took at least one AP exam, and 51% received a passing grade. The school also ranked 10th statewide in math and reading proficiency, and eighth in math and reading performance, according to U.S. News.
“We are proud that Hall continues to be recognized as one of the top high schools in the nation,” Principal Dan Zittoun said. “I truly believe this is a byproduct of excellence from all the stakeholders; students who come to school wanting to learn and improve, a talented faculty who work with a singular focus toward student success, supportive parents who value education, and a community that provides the resources needed for all of this to happen. And while Hall is named, we would not be on the list without the solid foundation from the middle schools and elementary schools that gave our students such an incredible foundation.”
Conard High School 2020 U.S. News scorecard
Conard, ranked no. 13 in the state and no 642 nationally, is fifth in the Hartford Metro area – behind Connecticut IB Academy, Simsbury High School, Hall, and Farmington High School (no. 12).
Conard received a score of 96.39 from U.S. News, with 78% of students taking at least one AP Exam, 64% passing, and a 98% graduation rate. Mathematics and reading proficiency were also factored into the score.
Conard is ranked third in the state based on U.S. New’s College Readiness Index and College Curriculum Breadth.
“I am extremely proud of our ranking because it symbolizes all of the hard work and dedication that everyone at Conard displays,” Principal Julio Duarte said. “It also highlights our belief that every child can succeed if the appropriate support s are in place.”
“It’s great news for both of our schools,” said Moore. “It really shows the hard work of our kids, and our staff, and our community.”
Connecticut’s top 15 schools, according to the 2020 U.S. News ranking, are: Connecticut IB Academy (East Hartford), Weston High School, Darien High School, Staples High School (Westport), New Canaan High School, Simbury High School, Greenwich High School, Hall High School, Ridgefield High School, Marine Science Magnet High School of Southeastern Connecticut (Groton), Wilton High School, Farmington High School, Conard High School, Avon High School, and Joel Barlow High School (Redding).
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, VA, part of the Fairfax County Public Schools district, is ranked no. 1 in the country this year according to U.S. News.
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