Congressman, Local Pols Take Note of High School's Ranking

Watchung Hills Regional High School, which serves 2085 students in a district comprising Warren, Green Brook and Long Hill Townships and Watchung Borough, was ranked 154th nationally and 12th in New Jersey out of 1,100 “best public schools in the United States for 2011” by Newsweek Magazine.

The honor, conferred on the high school this past June at the end of the academic year, is now being officially recognized by the sending districts’ governing bodies: Aug. 8 in Green Brook, Aug. 18 in Watchung, and scheduled for Sept. 7 in Long Hill and Sept. 15 in Warren.

The resolution reads as follows:

WHEREAS: Watchung Hills Regional High School has been distinguished by Newsweek magazine as 154th among the of top 1,100 high schools in the United States and:

WHEREAS; Watchung Hills Regional High School ranked as the top NJ Group 4* high school and:

WHEREAS; Watchung Hills Regional High School ranked 12th in New Jersey overall and:

WHEREAS: This Newsweek ranking demonstrates a learning environment responsive to students’ needs, continuously focusing on developing 21st Century skills;

Now therefore, be it resolved that the Watchung Borough Council (Warren/Green Brook/

Long Hill Township Committees) proudly congratulate(s) the Board of Education, Administration, Faculty and Students of Watchung Hills Regional High School on achieving this national recognition.

(*Relates to athletic/sports ranking)

In Newsweek’s annual review of the nation’s top high schools, six components were evaluated and assigned scores. High school graduation rate receives 25 percent; college matriculation

rate 25 percent; Advanced Placement (AP) per graduate, 25 percent; average SAT/ACT (academic achievement tests), 10 percent; average AP/ IB/ AI scores (exams which evaluate mastery of advance subjects), 10 percent; AP courses offered per graduate, 5 percent (In New Jersey, many academies, magnet or charter schools were named for the “best” category.)

These components are seen as a “yardstick” that fully reflects a school’s success in turning out college-ready and life-ready students, say its creators. The assessment methodology was recently revamped, according to a panel of experts which includes Wendy Kopp, (Teach for America), Tom Vander Ark (Open Education Solutions, formerly Director for Education of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) and Linda Darling Hammond (Stanford Professor of Education, founder of School Redesign Network).

“We continually focus on developing 21st century skills and are both pleased and proud to be nationally recognized for the great work done by all—students, faculty administration, parents," Watchung Hills Superintendent Frances Stromsland, said. "The partnership with, and the support of, our regional communities help our students succeed. Our goal is to provide students with experiences that will enable them to be prepared for college or other exciting career opportunities. Watchung Hills is committed to doing whatever it takes to accomplish this goal.”

In addition to the local officials' recognition, the school recieved a letter and copy of a statement read by U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance, R-7th Dist., in the House of Representatives.

"I want to congratulate all the students, parents, teachers, administrators and the communities who make New Jersey's Seventh Congressional District home to so many of the top performing high schools in (the) Nation," Lance said in his statement. "When it comes to the best educationin the country, New Jersey's public school system makes the grade."