Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit High School Rankings
In a knowledge based global economy where your educational qualifications will invariably decide your social and economic status in life, it’s not surprising that such importance is attached to categorizing schools based on high school rankings. This is the reason why parents and students scan websites and pour through literature, searching for that dream educational institution that’s placed on the top rung of the ladder for high school rankings. In fact, better education is one of the reasons people choose to move every year, looking to build a better educational foundation for their kids. You might think that while looking for schools it’s best to base your selection on a predetermined listing for high school rankings. You might not always be right though. Here’s why.
Are High School Rankings the Only Factor?
Advocates of high school rankings argue that in a situation where the public education system in the country is in a sorry state of affairs at best, parents need tools to base their decisions on. High school rankings provide parents with that tool so they can make an informed decision. While this is true to a large extent, the fact is that these high school rankings don’t always take all factors into consideration while deciding a school’s place in the scheme of things.
For instance, schools might sometimes place lower on the high school rankings largely because of their location and student demographics. Unfortunately, schools with large minority student populations have a tougher time making it to the elite top positions in high school rankings. This is also true for schools that have large or majority African American populations. Education authorities will argue that the test scores in these schools are so dismal because the students aren’t motivated enough to succeed. Well, you wouldn’t be motivated either if you had parents who worked two jobs to support your family.
The uncomfortable truth is that in lower income communities, parents might not always have the time or resources to expend on monitoring their children’s education or motivating them. Managing to pay the bills and stay afloat takes enough energy. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that schools with larger levels of such student populations will rank lower. The quality of education or the level of effort put in by teachers (who work diligently to goad their students to rise beyond any perceived limitations) is beyond reproach. One of the major reasons why such schools constantly place low on high school rankings is because of the low motivation levels of students.
And what about the success stories of disadvantaged children from such low ranked schools who go on to enjoy successful careers? They alone are enough proof that high school rankings need not always be taken as an open and shut categorization.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- High School Rankings for K-12 Gen Interest
- Principals Affect High School Rankings for K-12 General Interest
- Who Cares About High School Rankings
- High School Rankings
- Will High School Rankings Affect your Future?
- The Disadvantages of High School Rankings
- Shortage Of Teachers Impacts High School Rankings
- Public School Rankings




Understanding ethics in the application of permaculture
By: garretlloyd | 06/07/2009Permaculture is a way of designing where you have to make use of nature’s principles as model and bending them to an extent to create fertile, self-reliant landscapes and communities.
College Students, Your Academic Advisor Can Help You Determine If CLEP Exams Are Right For You
By: Speedyprep | 06/07/2009Academic advisors play an integral role in each college student’s success.
High School Students Can Earn College Credits Through AP and CLEP Exams
By: Speedyprep | 06/07/2009Many high school students have the opportunity to take AP (Advanced Placement) Courses.
SRK will be the quizmaster for IIPM Kids
By: Kartik | 06/07/2009SRK was chosen to give the over all appeal to India’s premiere B-school quizzing event.
Law School? - Consider These Things
By: May Smith | 05/07/2009Getting into a law school can open doors to much greater opportunities. If you are really committed to enter in a law school, there are some things that you need to consider.
Prepaiding Your Cell Phone Service
By: Daniel Stouffer | 04/07/2009There are a variety of different prepaid cellular phone plans options available, but many of them come with a contract and a requirement to purchase a certain type of service every month for a given term. In many circumstances, consumers will want to opt for a prepaid plan. Still others may have had some difficulties in the past and carry a poor or nonexistent credit rating.
Culinary Career Focus: What is a Chef de Partie?
By: Richard Brumer | 04/07/2009A Chef de Partie is a position usually found in larger restaurants and hotels. The Chef de Partie is responsible for each major area of cooking in the kitchen. Thus, the Chef de Partie can be a specialist in several of the different aspects of the cooking process that go on within the kitchens of a restaurant.
IIPM B School Delhi Young Indians Summit
By: Kartik | 04/07/2009India on the rise, Aspire to succeed - IIPM Business School Summit
Dallas Schools Get Failing Grade for Teacher Ratings
By: Patricia Hawke | 17/05/2008 | EducationThere is a problem with the system being used to rate the performance of teachers at Dallas schools. Due to errors in coding or otherwise, some teachers are being rated based on classes they didn't teach or students who weren't assigned to them. This issue at Dallas schools needs to be dealt with immediately.
Cleveland Schools Need to Deal With Problem of Violence
By: Patricia Hawke | 17/05/2008 | EducationThe latest statistics on violence in Cleveland schools indicate that incidents are on the rise. Recent incidents involved an assault on a teacher and a principal getting injured while trying to break up a fight. It really shouldn't be all that surprising that violence acts are being committed in Cleveland schools when violence is so prevalent in our society as a whole.
Charlotte Schools Can't Bully Employees
By: Patricia Hawke | 17/05/2008 | EducationOfficials at Charlotte schools recently sent their 18,000 workers a form asking that each employee consent to a rigorous background check or be fired.
Baltimore Schools Students Will Benefit From Local Alliance
By: Patricia Hawke | 17/05/2008 | EducationA new initiative at Baltimore schools provides yet another glimpse into the possibilities that a public school system can throw up for its students, if it only makes the effort. Baltimore schools have tied up with MedStar the Columbia based health care system, to offer students an opportunity to intern at health facilities.
Arizona Schools Must Fund English Programs Now
By: Patricia Hawke | 17/05/2008 | EducationIn Arizona schools, it is estimated that 130,000 students have a language other than English as their first language. These youngsters are not fluent in English. Unless their English-language skills are brought up, how can they be expected to get a good education?
Virginia Schools Introduce Kids to Award-winning Author
By: Patricia Hawke | 10/09/2007 | EducationMiddle school students attending two Virginia Schools have had the opportunity to meet an award-winning author. Sharon Flake has written a work of fiction about a 13-year-old African American girl who struggles to fit in with her peers.
Texas Schools Set an Example
By: Patricia Hawke | 10/09/2007 | EducationTexas school districts are enjoying a revival, and how! In recent years, the state’s schools are finding increased success meeting all the measures of a school’s success- motivated well performing students, and schools and teachers who set the bar higher for themselves.