Local High Schools Rank on National List for College Preparation

Four Naperville high schools were named among the state’s top high schools for college preparation by the Washington Post based on its Advanced Placement offerings.

The Post’s High School Challenge recognizes more than 1,900 schools across the nation. Schools are assigned a ratio based on the number of AP or other college-level tests taken in 2010 by the number of graduating seniors. According to the Post, the rankings “can reveal the level of a high school’s commitment to preparing average students for college.”

Students that enroll in AP courses study college-level material. Successful scores on the AP course test at the end of the year may translate into college credit. While each university adopts a different policy regarding their acceptance of AP credits, it’s feasible for a student to enter their freshman year of college with a semester’s worth of credit in AP courses.

Neuqua Valley ranked 26 on the Illinois list and 854 nationally for 2011. Naperville North and Central also came in at 54 and 63, respectively, while Waubonsie Valley came in at 73 on the state list. Nearby Downers Grove North, Glenbard West, Wheaton North and Wheaton-Warrenville South high schools also received recognition on the lists.

A recent Chicago Tribune report revealed that roughly 60 percent of public high schools and 45 percent of private high schools in Illinois offer AP courses, though the number of courses varies from district to district.

According to their 2010-2011 program planning guide, Naperville North offers 20 AP courses running the gamut from Studio Art to macro- and microeconomics.  Students can work with the school to take other AP-level tests on a case by case basis.

In contrast, Lisle High School offers two AP courses, calculus and environmental science. The Tribune story indicates that fewer offerings are due to fewer students (roughly half of Lisle student attend Naperville schools) in the district, though they’ll be adding two additional courses in the fall.

While the High School Challenge notes that their rankings aren’t a comprehensive view of academic value, admissions offices emphasize not just well-rounded students, but ones who challenge themselves.