The latest ranking of the state’s finest public high schools showed minimal variance from previous assessments. Unsurprisingly, a distinguished Boston establishment and multiple affluent suburban schools dominated the list, alongside a distinctive Worcester-based magnet school catering to grades 11 and 12. Niche, a renowned organization evaluating schools spanning from elementary to college levels, utilized a blend of feedback from students, alumni, and parents, in conjunction with data from the Department of Education and other reputable sources, to compile their rankings. Once again, the Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science, in collaboration with Worcester Polytech Institute, secured the top spot. Each school within the top 20 on Niche’s roster received an exceptional A+ rating. Lexington High, the highest-ranking non-entrance exam school, maintained its position as the runner-up. The top 10 were completed by Weston High School, Boston Latin, Brookline High School, Newton North High School, Belmont High School, Hopkinton High School, Newton South High School, and Wellesley High School. Locally, Concord-Carlisle Regional (16), Westford Academy (17), and Acton-Boxboro Regional (19) also made it into the Niche top 20 high schools in the state.
It’s evident that affluent school districts with more homogeneous and prosperous student populations have the financial resources to cultivate an environment conducive to academic success. This selection of top public high schools closely mirrors Stacker’s compilation of the most exclusive communities in the Boston area. Consequently, these prestigious schools can maintain teacher-student ratios in the mid-teens or lower, with Boston Latin’s 20-1 ratio being the highest, a feat unattainable for most other public school systems. While these elite communities are likely to continue dominating the high-school rankings, schools with diverse demographics should also be acknowledged for their unique academic accomplishments and practical training.
In the previous acknowledgment of top academic achievers, notable progress was highlighted in several Fitchburg public schools. The 2022 MCAS results revealed that Fitchburg, which had five schools ranked in the bottom 10% statewide in 2018, witnessed three of them ascend from that position. Consequently, Memorial Middle School and Fitchburg High School no longer required additional supervision and support from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The collaborative efforts of teaching teams and support staff at these institutions led to significant advancements as students transitioned back to traditional in-person learning. Former high school superintendent Robert Jokela attributed these academic strides to the dedication of educators amidst challenging circumstances, emphasizing that the improved results aligned Fitchburg with many urban counterparts.
Furthermore, the technical high schools in the state cater to a specialized niche that is in high demand, resulting in extensive waiting lists at numerous institutions unable to accommodate all interested students seeking a blend of academic and real-world training. Regrettably, this underscores the insufficient emphasis on technical education within the state. Recently, three students from Nashoba Valley Technical High School were recognized for their academic achievements and the diversity of their school. These students participated in a student panel organized by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, celebrating the seal of biliteracy. The event showcased the significance of multilingualism in career development, with the students sharing their educational journeys and future aspirations with administrators and educators. The networking event, commemorating five years of the seal of biliteracy, featured workshops covering various language learning aspects, drawing the participation of over 200 educators and administrators from across the state.
Educational excellence manifests in diverse forms, emphasizing that graduates from technical high schools possess equal potential for success as their counterparts from the top 20 high schools.