Despite High Scores, Central Still Not Ranked on National Schools List

Higher test scores and subject proficiency than many other schools in New Jersey didn't hold enough weight it seems, as West Morris Central missed U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings list in the state yet again.

The recently-released list shows the top 44 schools in the state using factors such as student-to-teacher ratio, college readiness, and proficiency in math and language.

Central’s 28.1 score in college readiness was above the state average, and would have put the school in the No. 39 spot on that factor alone had it been ranked. Its 90-percent proficiency in math and 99-percent proficiency in language would have ranked it in the same area of the list as well.

But the magazine's annual ranking kept Central out of the top 44 list yet again.

For the first time, the report used the International Baccalaureate (IB) program as a factor in its rankings. Central’s sister-school, Mendham High School, ranked No. 38 on the list, up to two spots from last year. It was given the No. 1,040 nationally.

For the second consecutive year, Biotechnology High School in Freehold took the top spot on the list. Chatham High School was the highest-ranking Morris County school, grabbing the No. 9 spot. Madison High School was next for Morris at No. 26, followed by Dover High School at No. 37 and then Mendham at No. 38.

What do you think of the rankings? Should students and parents take stock in this report?