Heights' High School Ranked Number One

Hasbrouck Heights High School has been named number one in the state in its district factor group by Inside New Jersey magazine this month.

Dr. Mark Porto, superintendent of schools, explained that the accreditation was earned by the school’s high school proficiency scores. As per the article, the most recent scores, which were released this February, from the 2009-2010 school year were used.

“They are very high comparatively to other high schools in Bergen County. Our scores really shine and I think they reflect the teachers in the high school who are working to get the students ready for college with literacy and math and writing skills,” he said explaining that these skills, along with critical thinking, is what the HSPA test focuses on.

“It’s exciting for us to see proof of our teachers’ hard work coming forth,” Porto added attributing much of the accreditation to the teachers in the school.

Porto said he believes overall the district should demonstrate improvement in the overall list in top schools in the state as the school continues to improve the Advanced Placement (AP) and pre-AP offerings. This year they have about doubled the amount of AP classes offered and Porto said there was about a 100 percent increase in how many students signed up for pre-AP or AP courses this year.

District factor groups, which are determined by the state Department of Education, are based on a community’s socioeconomic status. Hasbrouck Heights falls in the FG district factor group along with other Bergen County school districts such as Fort Lee, New Milford and Dumont.