Ballston Spa High School is one of America’s best high schools, according to Newsweek magazine.
Superintendent Dr. Joseph P. Dragone said he was notified by the magazine that the high school was on the list of America’s best high schools, published annually. This is the high school’s first time being recognized with this honor and qualified based on increased Advanced Placement assessment scores, participation in courses and on exams. According to the district, student enrollment in Advanced Placement courses has grown by about 85 percent. The high school will be added when the complete list is released in July.
We are thrilled to receive this recognition as one indicator of the work we are doing to support student achievement. The strength of the student transcript is a critical piece of the college admissions process. We will continue to develop and provide the strongest academic opportunities for our students as we move forward with district initiatives, said Dragone in a statement. `The instructional staff, district leadership and Board of Education all are to be commended for their focus on excellence in the classroom. The district’s goals and priorities will continue to focus on academic achievement and building the academic programs necessary to prepare students for 21st century learning and for their future in the workplace.`
The author of the list for Newsweek Magazine, Jay Matthews, told district officials he was `delighted to add a school that will be new to the list` and that `the district is obviously doing great things in the high school.`
Roughly 1,600, or 6 percent, of public high schools in the United States qualify for recognition on the list annually.
“