20 Jun 2011
School of Science and Engineering Ranked #1; School for the Talented and Gifted Ranked #2
DALLAS—The School of Science and Engineering and School for the Talented and Gifted at the Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center top Newsweek's list of America's Best High Schools ranking number one and number two, respectively.
The School of Science and Engineering has consistently landed in the top five of the Newsweek list since 2006.
"It is an absolute honor to be recognized by Newsweek as a school that prepares students to be college-ready and life-ready. Providing a rigorous college preparatory education is our number one goal at the School of Science/Engineering," said Principal Jovan C. Wells. "It truly takes a focused team effort to ensure our students are prepared for success in college and possess the tools required to compete globally in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math. Of course, without the hard-working students, committed parents, supportive community members, dedicated faculty/staff and Dallas ISD administrative leadership, this accomplishment would not be possible."
The School for the Talented and Gifted held the number one spot four of the last six years coming in second in 2008 and 2011.
"Despite the many distractions caused by the financial crisis and its potential effects on the magnet schools, our teachers and our students stayed focused and delivered yet another honor for our district," said TAG Principal Michael Satarino. "I am very proud of them."
This year, Newsweek increased its requirements for schools to make the list by considering six components: graduation rate (25 percent), college matriculation rate (25 percent), Advanced Placement classes taken per graduate (25 percent), average SAT/ACT scores (10 percent), average AP/IB scores (10 percent), and AP courses offered (5 percent).
Newsweek ranked more than 1,000 public high schools this year. Four additional Dallas ISD schools made the list: School of Business and Management at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center (#65), Judge Barefoot Sanders Magnet Center for Public Service: Government, Law and Law Enforcement at Townview (#135), Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (#150), and School of Health Professions at Townview (#261).
"It is a great honor to have our schools recognized on a national level by a respected magazine like Newsweek," said Interim Superintendent of Schools Alan King. "This has been a stellar year for SEM and TAG. Just last month, they were listed as the number one and number two top schools on The Washington Post's list, so we are excited that they are receiving affirmation that the hard work and dedication they continually pour into students' lives is paying off. This is fantastic."
For a complete list of schools, visit http://www.newsweek.com/2011/06/19/the-best-high-schools-in-america.html.