ELIZABETH, NJ — Three Elizabeth high schools are among the top 50 in New Jersey, according to a newly released report, “America’s Most Challenging High Schools,” by The Washington Post.
Elizabeth High School was named the No. 1 most challenging high school in New Jersey for the third consecutive year; Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy was ranked at No. 4 and Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy made its debut at No. 46.
The Washington Post ranks high schools using a measure of how effectively a school prepares its students for college. The formula divides the number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or other college-level tests a school gave in 2015 by the number of graduating seniors.
While not a measure of the overall quality of the school, the rating can reveal the level of a high school’s commitment to preparing students for postsecondary education.
Elizabeth High School and Hamilton Preparatory Academy earned the ranks of No. 73 and No. 259 respectively in the U.S. national rankings; Jefferson Arts Academy, which appeared on the national rankings for the first time, was at No. 1157. John E. Dwyer Technology Academy also made its debut in the rankings, appearing at No. 111 in New Jersey and 1,915 nationally.
According to Superintendent of Schools Olga Hugelmeyer, the recognition of the four high schools is a reflection of the district’s commitment to college preparedness.
“I am very pleased to see four of our high schools appear in rankings that show the nation’s most challenging high schools in the context of their effectiveness in preparing students to attend college,” said Hugelmeyer. “Elizabeth Public Schools believes all students can achieve at high levels and continues to uphold that belief with its commitment to preparing all students for postsecondary education.”
To see the complete ranking of America’s top high schools, go to: http://apps.washingtonpost.com/local/highschoolchallenge/.