ORANGE -- Ralph
C. Mahar
Regional High
School has been
ranked among
2009's best high
schools in
America,
according to the
U.S. News &
World Report's
"America's Best
High Schools"
annual rating of
more than 21,000
public American
high schools.
Mahar was one
of 27 high
schools in the
state to receive
the prestigious
"Silver Medal"
ranking, and the
only high school
in the Franklin
County. Only two
Massachusetts
high schools
received a "Gold
Medal" ranking.
"We are very
excited about
this prestigious
recognition,"
said
Superintendent
Dr. Reza Namin.
"It reflects the
hard work and
the strategic
vision of the
school
committee,
faculty and
staff, parents
and students,
and the
community-at-large,
in partnership
with the
community,
offering a
nurturing
atmosphere in a
modern facility.
"This
environment
fosters
creativity and
critical
thinking in its
students, staff,
administration,
and the Mahar
community. All
members of the
Mahar community
are continually
encouraged to
reach their
optimal
development and
to be committed
to social good.
Our success is
demonstrated by
the achievement
of our students
and their
ability to face
the challenges
of the future."
In its second
year, America's
Best High
Schools has
again identified
the country's
top-performing
high schools.
The goal of the
project is to
provide a clear,
unbiased picture
of how well
public high
schools serve
all of their
students -- from
the highest
achieving to the
lowest achieving
-- in preparing
them to
demonstrate
proficiency in
basic skills as
well as
readiness for
college-level
work.
Analysts at
SchoolMatters
developed the
America's Best
High School
project for
special
publication in
U.S. News &
World Report.
This year's list
recognizes more
than 1,900 of
the best high
schools
nationwide using
three categories
of distinction:
gold, silver and
bronze. New this
year, the list
also recognizes
17 schools as
"Honorable
Mention"
schools. These
are schools that
achieved high
levels of
college
readiness, but
only partially
met the rest of
the criteria for
inclusion.
This award is
based on careful
analysis of
academic and
enrollment data
such as student
performances on
MCAS and
Advanced
Placement
examinations,
and the
percentage of
students who are
classified as
low-income. The
full story from
U.S. News &
World Report can
be viewed on
line at
http://www.usnews.com/sections/education/high-schools
or by visiting
the Mahar
Regional School
Web site at
http://www.rcmahar.mec.edu.
