Superintendent Bruce Law: 'Leaving Hinsdale Central Off the List Was Newsweek's Mistake'

Letter written by Hinsdale Township High School District 86 Superintendent Bruce Law.

Dear Newsweek,

In Hinsdale Township High School District 86, we have two high schools, Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South.

These aren’t just any two high schools, they are two of the top high schools in the nation, and we are extremely proud of the tradition of excellence we have earned and extend to our students every year.

When compiling the annual rankings of America’s Top High Schools, Newsweek magazine, along with Westsat, the research firm that helped conduct the rankings, rightly recognized Hinsdale South this year. Newsweek along with Westat, however, failed again to recognize Hinsdale Central, leaving it off the list for the second consecutive year. Last year we protested. This year, Newsweek needs to fix its mistake.

• See also: Newsweek: Hinsdale South Ranks No. 415 Best High School in America

It is profoundly disappointing to all of us — our students and their parents, our faculty and staff, and our community as a whole — that Newsweek cannot get this right. While making this list wouldn’t change anything we do, and although no thoughtful person thinks news magazines’ rankings are a way to judge the worth of schools, it is important to all our stakeholders, and if Newsweek is going to rank high schools, it should at least get it right.

Leaving Hinsdale Central off the list was Newsweek’s mistake, and Newsweek needs to fix it. We are also concerned that if Newsweek uses economically disadvantaged students as a variable in its logarithm, South was underrated. These mistakes can and should be fixed.

One also wonders how many other quality schools were left off Newsweek’s list that should have been included. It is difficult to believe the same mistake Newsweek made two years in a row regarding Hinsdale Central was the only one it made in the nation.

In school, we teach our students that if they make a mistake, they should admit it, fix it and move on. I can’t understand why Newsweek won’t do the very thing we expect our students to do.

After multiple attempts to reach both Newsweek and Westat, there is no resolution, no ownership of the story or data, no contact who will speak for either organization. They hide behind generic email addresses and force their receptionists to deflect inquiries into the shoddy work that people much higher up in the organization never bothered to check.

District 86 will continue to strive for and achieve excellence. We have a host of data that support this fact. From ACT scores and graduation rates to national and state athletic and activity championships to college and career success, District 86 provides an unparalleled range of educational opportunities, supporting its students in all areas. As we go forward, we will stay focused on that goal because it is the right thing to do. Unfortunately, that is a responsibility Newsweek must learn.

Bruce Law, Ed. D.
Superintendent of Schools