Mahar earns U.S. News silver ranking

[ Originally published on: Tuesday, December 30, 2008 ]

ORANGE -- Ralph C. Mahar Regional High School was the only school in Franklin County to be ranked as one of the ''2009 America's Best High Schools in America,'' according to a recent issue of U.S. News & World Report.

''I was very excited,'' Superintendent Reza Namin said Monday. ''There is a lot of work we have gone through to get to this point.''

U.S. News Media Group has released its second annual survey of America's Best High Schools. The list recognizes more than 1,900 schools throughout the country out of 21,000 that were evaluated.

The high schools listed fall into one of four categories of distinction: gold, silver, bronze or honorable mention.

Mahar was one of 27 high schools in the state to receive the silver ranking. There are 420 students in grades 9-12.

The award is based on analysis of academic and enrollment data, such as student performances on MCAS and advanced placement examinations, and the percentage of students who are classified as low income. This year's list demonstrated an 11 percent increase in the number of top-performing schools (gold and silver) from last year.

Analysts at SchoolMatters, an independent, analytical resource for state and education leaders, developed the America's Best High School project for the special publication in U.S. News & World Report.

Namin said the school district's strategic planning in 2005 ''gave us a common vision to look and be accountable for.''

The high school's dropout rate has shrunk from 2.4 percent last year to 0.6 this year, according to preliminary results from the state, said Namin.

School Committee Chairman Maureen Donelan said ''I was very excited, proud and happy for the school and the administration.''

''I think it is a great honor,'' said Donelan.

''I am very proud and pleased with the administration for having a forward vision,'' she said, speaking specifically about the school district's strategic plan.

''Everyone knows where we want to be and wants the students to have a global curriculum and achieve the best.''

Donelan is in her sixth year on the school board and in her third year as chairwoman.

''Without (the teachers) and all their hard work, we wouldn't have the test scores and wouldn't get this rating.''

 

---