NJ Monthly Ranks HVCHS Top Public School in Mercer County; #31 in the State
New Jersey Monthly magazine has ranked Hopewell Valley Central High School #31 among the 328 public high schools in the state, making it the magazine’s top-ranked public high school in Mercer County.
The last time the magazine published the rankings, in 2010, Hopewell Valley was #38.
The rankings are based on a number of factors that are displayed in a chart in the September issue of the magazine and on its website, http://njmonthly.com/.
“My staff and I are very proud that our high school is ranked 31st out of 328 high schools in New Jersey,” said Central High School Principal Michael Daher. “It’s well-deserved recognition for our teaching and support staff and for our students, who together work very hard to make our school a special place.”
In explaining the rankings, New Jersey Monthly reported that three factors were considered:
- School Environment -- including average class size, student/faculty ratio, faculty with advanced degrees, and the number of Advanced Placement (AP) tests offered.
- Student Performance – standardized (SAT and the High School Proficiency Assessment, or HSPA) test scores, and AP test scores.
- Student Outcomes – 4-year graduation rates.
The magazine based its rankings on statistics from the state Department of Education for the 2010-11 school year. These statistics for Hopewell Valley CHS included:
- An average class size of 20.7
- Student/faculty ratio of 10.8 to 1.
- 62 percent of faculty with advanced degrees.
- An average SAT score of 1706.
- 22 AP tests offered with 93 percent test-takers passing the tests.
- A 96 percent 4-year graduation rate.
“Our administrators, school board, and staff are always working to improve our district,” said Hopewell Valley Superintendent of Schools Thomas Smith. “Our movement up the New Jersey Monthly list reflects this effort. But more than any magazine ranking, our focus is always on the students and ensuring their success.”
“I always have believed that we have an excellent school district,” said Hopewell Valley School Board President Lisa Wolff. “But it’s nice to be recognized as the top high school in Mercer County by one of the many media generated rankings.”
Other area high schools on the list included Mercer County's West Windsor-Plainsboro North (#32), Princeton High School (#59), West Windsor-Plainsboro South (#62), and Lawrence High School (#82), and Somerset County's Montgomery High School (#61).