New Rankings Say Andover Public Schools Are 27th Best In MA

ANDOVER, MA -- Two Andover elementary schools are among the best public elementary schools in Massachusetts, according to a new, comprehensive ranking of the state's public school system. Meanwhile, Niche ranked High Plain Elementary 52nd and Sanborn Elementary 72nd out of 985 public elementary schools in Massachusetts. Overall, the Andover Public School system was ranked the 27th best public school out of 216 Massachusetts public school systems. system for athletes.

The school data and rating company gave Andover Public Schools and overall letter grade of A+, including grades of A+ for health and safety, academics, teachers, and for preparing students for college. See Niche's complete evaluation of Andover Public Schools.

Andover High School received a letter grade of A+ from Niche and was rated the 36th best public high school in Massachusetts. See Niche's complete evaluation of Andover High School.

The school system received a letter grade of B- for diversity, which was reflected in student and parent reviews of Andover Public Schools.

"My education in the Andover Public school system was phenomenal. My early years were superb but once I hit 6th grade race became a major issue I started noticing," one Andover High School senior wrote in reviews solicited by Niche. "I'm an African-American woman and throughout middle school I often had teachers make ignorant assumptions about me, rude comments and show extreme bias. In high school, Andover High spent a great deal of time trying to figure out every single issue with race, sexuality and religion down to the last 'micro-aggression.' What I want to see change is exactly that. Teachers are too focused on not offending a student by saying the wrong thing that they get lost in it and become color blind'.""

Niche data analysts use data and user opinions to come up with their rankings for school districts. Data range from test scores to teacher salaries to attendance rates to provide one of the more comprehensive school system rankings.

In addition to the rankings, Niche offered a letter grade for each school in the district:

• Andover High School: A+
• Wood Hill Middle School: A+
• Andover West Middle School: A+
• Doherty Middle School: A
• High Plain Elementary: A
• Sanborn Elementary: A
• South Elementary: A
• Bancroft Elementary: A
• West Elementary: A

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Patch file photo by Cherries/Shutterstock.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).