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Home > Blogs > Get on the Bus > Archives > 2005 > September > 21 > Entry
Oakwood, Centerville called great high schools
Newsweek/The Washington Post has posted its annual list of the nation’s top 1,000 high schools. Just two local schools are on it — Oakwood (#405) and Centerville (#874).
(This is more ammo for Oakwood teachers to use in their contract dispute with the school board).
The methodology used to rank the schools is controversial. The rating is based entirely on how many Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests kids take. Many critics think that is not the best way to measure what makes a great high school.
The top Ohio high school was Wyoming at No. 55. A total of 23 Ohio schools made the top 1,000, with Oakwood ranking 9th in the state and Centerville 21st.
I’m not surprised to see Oakwood and Centerville on this list. But I am a little surprised not to see any of our other top suburban high schools there (Northmont, Miamisburg, Vandalia-Butler, Beavercreek, Springboro, Kettering).
Of course, AP and IB tests is going to exclude a lot of smaller schools. Any list of the best high schools in Dayton would surely have to include Stivers, Chaminade-Julienne and Dayton Christian high schools, plus small rural schools like Fort Loramie, Russia and Cedarville.
Did I leave anybody out?
Update: I should make clear that the Newsweek/Post list is public schools only. Which, of course, is one of the problems with it. As I said above, my list of the best local high schools would certainly include some private schools. One comment points out that the Miami Valley School certainly belongs on the list, and another suggested Carroll High School.
Jay Mathews, the author of Newsweek/Post list, defends his methodology here.
Permalink | Comments (18) | Categories: Teaching and Learning
Comments
By Rachael
September 23, 2005 10:54 AM | Link to this
It’s important to keep in mind that the ranking is based solely on the number of tests given, not on the number of students passing the tests; therefore, it is possible for a school that simply gives a lot of tests to have a higher ranking than a school whose passing rate is higher.By debbie
September 22, 2005 8:22 PM | Link to this
i think miamisburg high school should have been on that list!!By Rick
September 22, 2005 6:43 PM | Link to this
This is a list of public schools only.By Scott E
September 22, 2005 5:26 PM | Link to this
I didn’t intend to endorse or disparage any particular school. All I was trying to do was generate discussion about whether the Miami Valley has more great high schools than just Oakwood and Centerville. I think so, and a lot of other good schools were named here.By kent boyle
September 22, 2005 3:34 PM | Link to this
I agree with the post about Bellbrook. Their reading list at Borders for their Honors classes is impressive. Scott Eliot, the writer of the article, shows a bias toward the pet schools of DDN. This is one of the most politically correct papers I’ve ever read.By Sandy
September 22, 2005 1:42 PM | Link to this
I don’t see Bellbrook on there anywhere either…they have a wide range of AP courses and its an excellent school, not mentioned by the rankings, the writer or any other posts?By Kent Boyle
September 22, 2005 11:32 AM | Link to this
If we are going to mention small schools without a lot of money, we have to mention Valley View whose high school test scores rival the top schools in the area without the type of funding Springboro, Oakwood or Centerville have.By Kent Boyle
September 22, 2005 11:29 AM | Link to this
Alter is not on the list of the private schools the writer mentioned. Mention Chaminade and Carroll but not Alter? Might this be a little prejudice or envy?By Lynda
September 22, 2005 11:24 AM | Link to this
Waynesville has a Great School and some of the best teachers that Ohio has to offer. Because they encourage the parents to participate in their childs education they are succeding, but they don’t have the money to spend that Centerville and Oakwood parents have. There must be a better and fairer way to grade the schools, than just by tthe amount of money spent.By Michelle
September 22, 2005 10:12 AM | Link to this
This list must have been public schools because the Miami Valley School would be on the list. Many Centerville parents send their kids to MVS.By Scott E
September 22, 2005 8:44 AM | Link to this
Mona, Vandalia did not make the list of top 1,000 high schools in the country. They didn’t get ranked.By MONA
September 22, 2005 8:01 AM | Link to this
Where did Vandalia rank?By Joe
September 22, 2005 7:30 AM | Link to this
I’m not surprised at Springboro’s absence. They lack quality AP faculty.By CJ
September 22, 2005 6:03 AM | Link to this
Waynesville does not have the money that other districts have but it has outstanding teachers and students. Just look at their test results!By erik
September 21, 2005 10:24 PM | Link to this
imagine thatBy Lucy
September 21, 2005 10:09 PM | Link to this
I’m a 2001 graduate of Centerville. Not that I didn’t like the high school, but it’s not a suprise that it’s on there once again. I hated it while I was there, but was so glad when it was over. I liked most of my teachers, and the principal’s were great. Failure is not an option at Centerville.By Tom Isaacs
September 21, 2005 8:54 PM | Link to this
I totally agree Oakwood and Centerville have terrific schools. But it’s always amusing these studies usually celebrate the successes of the highest spending schools, but then people like to say money has nothing to do with a great education. Compare the test scores, the course offerings, the technology, and the graduation rate AND low per pupil spending and Waynesville High School is easily one of the finest high schools in Ohio. To spend like Wyoming, Oakwood, and Centerville Waynesvillians would need to pass an additional 10 to 15 mills of property tax.By SORT
September 21, 2005 8:50 AM | Link to this
Carroll should be on the list. I’m not surprised that Kettering isn’t on it - from what I understand their choice of AP courses is rather short.