Two websites:
http://www.schoolmatters.com/
http://www.homefair.com/sr_home.html
Info on a blue ribbon school:
The No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools program recognizes schools that make significant progress in closing the achievement gap or whose students achieve at very high levels.
The schools are selected based on one of three criteria:
Schools with at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that dramatically improve student performance on state tests, as determined by the state school chief; and,
Schools whose students, regardless of background, achieve in the top 10 percent on state tests.
Private schools that achieve in the top 10 percent in the nation.
Under No Child Left Behind, schools must meet "Adequate Yearly Progress," or AYP, in reading/language arts and mathematics. Each state sets its own academic standards and benchmark goalsnot the federal governmentbecause each state knows best what goals and criteria are most appropriate for its school districts.
The No Child Left Behind Act is the bipartisan landmark education reform law designed to change the culture of Americaís schools by closing the achievement gap, offering more flexibility to states, giving parents more options and teaching students based on what works. Under the lawís strong accountability provisions, states must describe how they will close the achievement gap and make sure all students, including those with disabilities, achieve academically.
The Blue Ribbon citeria has changed in the last couple of years. Now it is only awarded based on NCLB. It used to be a distinction of an excellent school district that the school had to apply for and be awarded.
I like to look at a specific school website and find their profile. In the HS Guidance profile, it should tell you the % of the class that goes on to college, the average ACT and SAT scores, how they preformed on AP tests and which schools graduates have applied to and attended.
