In another magazine ranking of the nation’s best high schools, Westport’s Staples High School was named by Newsweek as No. 3 in Connecticut and No. 234 nationally.
Staples was behind Connecticut International Baccalaureate Academy, East Hartford, (130 nationally)—also named No. 1 in Conecticut in a recent U.S. News survey (See WestportNow May 8, 2012)—and Weston High School (163 nationally).
Newsweek said its survey highlights the best 1,000 public high schools in the nation—the ones that have proven to be the most effective in turning out college-ready grads.
It said the list is based on six components provided by school administrators: graduation rate (25 percent), college matriculation rate (25 percent), AP/IB/AICE tests taken per student (25 percent), average SAT/ACT scores (10 percent), average AP/IB/AICE scores (10 percent), and AP courses offered per student (5 percent).
Think how much better Staples could be if they had more teachers!!!! B of E—Where is your leadership on this issue? What needs to happen before you hear the parents of Westport??
I agree, there is need for improvement. In the 1960’s and 1970’s when my son and daughter were at Staples, it was rated either number 1 or number 2 in the nation. It seemed to alternate with New Trier East High School in Winnetka Illinois. More attention to quality teachers, and less on bricks and mortar, computer and electronics and large number of administrators would seem in order.
A. Beasley, M.D.
Too much focus on sports and sports teams. There should be more focus on making the curriculum interesting for every student. There should be more innovation in teaching. Teach some new things not the same boring stuff year after year. Pay attention to the average student not just the stars of sports and Staples Players and academics. I’ve had two kids go through Staples and another about to finish next year and they all could not wait to get out of there. Make the school less confining – let kids go out during their free periods. Respect individuality. There is life after high school thank goodness.