North Shore high schools make the grade in national ranking

Five North Shore high schools were listed last Thursday in Newsweek magazine’s annual ranking of the top 500 public high schools in the country.
Both Great Neck South High School and North High School, as well as Herricks High School, Manhasset High School and Paul D. Schreiber High School in Port Washington cracked the list.
Using state Education Department data from the 2014-15 school year, Newsweek partnered with a Maryland-based statistical research firm, Westat, to devise the list.
Schools went through a two-part assessment, in which the first step ranked schools based on English language arts and math proficiency rates and standardized test scores.
The second step then ranked the schools based on the number of full-time guidance counselors, SAT and ACT performance, advanced placement course participation and performance and college acceptance and enrollment numbers.
Great Neck South High School made the top 50 in the ranking, listed at number 38.
The school had a 98 percent graduation rate, with 97.3 percent of students enrolling in college.
It also had 87.4 percent of its students at a college-readiness level.
Great Neck North High School made the list at number 142.
The school graduated 98.4 percent of its students, with 96.8 percent  going on to attend college.
The percentage of students who reached the college-readiness level, however, was lower than South High’s at 81.7 percent.
“It is always nice when the academic accomplishments of our students is recognized by an outside agency,” Great Neck Superintendent of Schools Teresa Prendergast said. “The Great Neck school district enjoys a national reputation for academic excellence, and we know our program prepares our students to lead, and make a difference in the world.”
Manhasset High School ranked as the 92nd best school in the country.
It graduated 98.3 percent of its students, with 96.6 percent of students enrolling in college.
The school had 84 percent of students reach college-readiness levels.
“Newsweek’s recognition is a well-deserved honor which reinforces the great tradition of excellence that has existed in each of the Manhasset schools — Munsey Park Elementary School, Shelter Rock Elementary School and the Secondary School — for many, many years and that has allowed Manhasset to be recognized as one of the premier school districts in the United States,” Manhasset Superintendent of Schools Charles Cardillo said. “Our students experience a great sense of community and family in our schools and the faculty, administration and staff display great compassion, love, support, care and encouragement to our students. The net result is a deeply rooted commitment to each and every student’s educational and emotional well-being which contributes to the students’ success in the 4 A’s — academics, athletics, the arts, music and theater, and after school activities.”
“Naturally, our parents and community provide incredible support and share in the great pride and school spirit that exists in the Manhasset Schools,” Cardillo added.
Herricks High School ranked 207th on the list.
The school graduated 98.5 percent of its students, with 94.3 percent of students moving on to attend college.
It had 79.3 percent of its students reach college-readiness levels.
“It is gratifying that Herricks has once again been recognized by Newsweek as one of the top high schools on Long Island and across the nation,” Herricks Superintendent Fino Celano said in a statement. “This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of our students, faculty and administration.  Our high levels of academic achievement could not be accomplished without the support of our dedicated Board of Education, parents and community.”
Paul D. Schreiber High School was  number 448 on the list.
The school graduated 98.6 percent of its students, with 92.7 percent of students enrolling in college.
It also had 74.2 percent of students reach a college-readiness level.
“I am proud that Schreiber High School continues to be recognized as a top high school in the various rankings conducted throughout the year,” Port Washington Superintendent of Schools Kathleen Mooney said. “While the rankings and lists generated by different independent organizations serve as a testament to the dedication and expertise of the building leadership, faculty and support staff,  they touch on just some of the many facets that make Schreiber a great school.”
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia listed as the top school in the nation.
Other Long Island schools that cracked the list include Jericho High School at number 45, Syosset High School at number 118 and Garden City High School at number 212.