A quality high school education can equip students with the tools they need to pursue their academic goals and tackle real-world problems. Many high schoolers in Boston have access to the training they need, thanks to strong public schools, with a new study from Boston.com revealing the top-performing public high schools in Boston.
Researchers including Avary Amaral, Siena Griffin, McKenna Johnson and George Recck ranked public high schools within the I-495 based on test scores, class size, student participation and other factors using data from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Here’s a breakdown of the top performers:
Dover-Sherborn High School
The 613 students at this high school enjoy an average class size of 13.6 and a student-teacher ratio of 10.1-to-one. A vast majority of students exceed expectations on MCAS tests, and the school’s average SAT reading/writing score is 642 out of 800 this year. This district also boasts a graduation rate of 99.4%.
Weston High School
This district claims an excellent student-teacher ratio at 9.2-to-one. Students at Weston High School perform well on MCAS exams and receive an average SAT reading/writing score of 643 out of 800. Plus, 96.1% of 11th- and 12th-grade students are enrolled in an advanced course.
Lexington High School
With 2,348 students, this school is the largest among the top performers. Class size averages at 18.9 with a student-teacher ratio of 11-to-one. Students earn high scores on MCAS tests, especially the science, technology and engineering portions. Notably, this school also excels for access to the arts as 80.5% of students are enrolled in an arts course.
Wayland High School
Wayland High School boasts a student-teacher ratio of 9.6-to-two and an average class size of 14.2. Students at the school score an average of 647 out of 800 on the math portion of the SAT, and of the school’s educators, 98% received “Sufficient” or “Exemplary” evaluations from the state.
The Bromfield School
With just 319 students, this Harvard high school is the smallest among the top performers. Class size averages at 14.3 with a student-teacher ratio of 10.5-to-one. Students score an average of 651 out of 800 on the reading/writing portion of the SAT, and 78.7% access an arts course. The school has a 100% graduation rate, one of just two schools in the Greater Boston area to do so.