Classical recognized as one of state’s top performing schools again

LYNN – Classical High School has been recognized by US News and World Report as one of the more notable high schools in the state for the second year in a row.”We were silver last year,” said Classical Principal Gene Constantino. “We’re bronze this year.”Constantino called it a great honor and said he really had nothing to do with it.”There was no application or survey to fill out,” he said. “I heard about it when they called us to let us know.”According to US News and World Report’s website, it evaluates more than 21,000 public high schools nationwide, including the District of Columbia, and awards gold, silver and bronze medals based on state proficiency standards and how well students are prepared for college. Gold schools are those with the highest college readiness, silver represents high performing schools with lower college readiness and bronze medals are for high-performing schools based on state exam performance. The bronze medalists are not ranked, instead they are listed alphabetically. All rankings can be found at www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/national-rankings.The magazine gives Classical a 14.6 percent ranking on the readiness index. It also lists the school as 78 percent proficient in English language arts and 68 percent proficient in math. The scores are calculated based on student performance on state exit exams and internationally available exams on college level work, such as Advanced Placement, according to an explanation on the site. At Classical the AP participation is rate is 25 percent.Vice Principal Amy Dunn said she believes the school won the silver ranking because that particular year the school had made an effort to be more inclusive with their Advanced Placement program.”We exposed more kids further down the rungs to the program,” she said. “We didn’t just include the top kids.”The school also started a program that offers students dual enrollment with North Shore Community College, Dunn added. Students can enroll in classes over the summer that will result in college credits.”They can actually graduate with 12 credits for North Shore Community College,” she said. “They don’t have to worry that they won’t transfer.”Classical was not alone on the list in terms of North Shore schools. Also making the grade is Lynnfield High School, which ranked 31st with a silver medal, and Revere High School, which also has a silver medal and was ranked 52nd in the state.Dunn and Constantino said they are thrilled with the fact the school was recognized two years in a row.”I’m happy with it,” Constantino added. “Bronze is pretty good.”Chris Stevens can be reached at [email protected].