Bethlehem Central High School has been rated the top high school in the Albany metro area by U.S. News & World Report. The high school was also ranked at #901 in the publication’s national rankings of more than 24,000 high schools across the country and #82 in New York State. The rankings were released today as part U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best High Schools list.
The school earned a score of 94.95/100 based on student performance in the following categories:
- College Readiness (30%) – The proportions of 12th graders who took and earned a qualifying score on at least one AP or IB exam. Earning a qualifying score is worth three times more than just taking.
- Math and Reading Proficiency (20%) – Aggregated scores on state assessments that students may be required to pass for graduation.
- Math and Reading Performance (20%) – How aggregated scores on state assessments compare with U.S. News’ expectations given the proportions of students who are Black, Hispanic and from low-income households.
- Underserved Student Performance (10%) – Scores on state assessments aggregated just among students who are Black, Hispanic and from low-income households. These scores are compared with what is typical in the state for non-undeserved students, with parity or higher being the goal.
- College Curriculum Breadth (10%) – The proportions of 12th graders who took and earned a qualifying score on AP and IB exams in multiple areas. More exams are valued more than fewer exams up to a maximum of four. Earning a qualifying score on an exam is worth three times more than taking.
- Graduation Rate (10%) – The proportion of entering ninth graders who graduated four academic years later.