Nearly half -- 45% -- of all New York City public high schools are "A" schools, according to their grades on progress reports released today by the Department of Education. An additional 30% of the more than 300 high schools graded received a "B." The high school grades lag behind those of the elementary and middle schools released in September.
High elementary and middle school grades reflected, in large part, the improvement of students' scores on state standardized exams; high school grades are based on the school's graduation rates and Regents scores, which did not improve as much.
The high number of elementary and middle schools receiving top grades -- 84% received A's -- led some to question the validity of the grading system, while state officials vowed to toughen up its procedures.
Today's press release, reports that 87% of the schools that received an A last year earned an A again this year; 67% of the schools that earned D's and F's last year earned C's this year.
Only one school, Peace and Diversity Academy in the Bronx, received an F.
See GothamSchools for a detailed summary of results. See the DOE's website for a complete listing of scores.
The high school application process begins in a few weeks. Chancellor Klein considers these progress reports to be "useful tool" for parents deciding where to apply to high school.
What do you think? Is the high school "grade" going to influence your family's decision?
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