This month, Newsweek posted rankings of the Best STEM high schools. (STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathmatics.) Algonquin Regional High School made the list, though some other area schools ranked higher.
ARHS ranked #1281 in the nation. If you eliminate private and charter schools, Algonquin moved up to 643. Looking at just Massachusetts, Algonquin ranked #81 (#35 if you eliminate private and charter schools.)
The rankings were based on a STEM score apparently calculated by an education research and credentialing organization. Algonquin’s score was 77.48 out of a possible 100. Newsweek only provides a vague description of the methodology behind the score:
STEM.org Educational Research™ (SER) has developed a proprietary scoring logic utilizing the latest in regression analysis that takes into consideration a broad set of quantitative and qualitative data inputs, collected from Q2 2015 – Q3 2019. The purpose was to determine which primary/secondary institutions in America best offer students experiences in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) —as defined by the Congressional Research Service — while preparing them for post-secondary outcomes. Additional factors including affluence and median household income were taken into consideration in compiling the rankings.
Under that methodology Advanced Math and Science Academy in Marlborough scored 95.61, and ranked #70 in the U.S. and #4 in the state. St. Mark’s School earned 90.71 and ranked #395 and #29.
We were also outranked by Hopkinton High (scored 91.61; ranked #341 in the U.S. and #24 in the state), Westborough (86.88, #653 and #46), and Shrewsbury (78.87, #1177 and #76).
