Here Is How Hillsborough Schools Were Graded On New State Report

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Several township schools were ranked on the top half of a controversial rating system that educators say paints an incomplete picture of the state's 2,100 schools.

The schools are rated on a 1-100 scale. The ratings, which were released Wednesday, were established to comply with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which replaced the controversial No Child Left Behind Act.

The ratings for high schools are based on graduation and absenteeism rates and PARCC scores, while elementary and middle school scores are based on absenteeism, PARCC and student progress on PARCC tests, according to the state Department of Education.

Patch obtained the "summative scores" from the state Department of Education, which shows schools in Cresskill, Millburn and Fair Haven as having the highest scores, getting a 96.73 or higher.

Based on the reports, it appears that schools that finished with at least a 50 score could be considered average. Schools that finish in the top 20 percent are considered above average.

Hillsborough schools received the following scores and overall rankings (out of 2,088 schools):

• 54th. Hillsborough Township Elementary School: 90.61
• 123rd. Sunnymead Elementary School: 84.71
• 198th. Woods Road Elementary School: 80.04
• 237th. Woodfern Elementary School: 78.10
• 301st. Hillsborough High School: 75.60
• 317th. Amsterdam Elementary School: 74.70
• 532nd. Hillsborough Township Middle School: 66.23
• 636th. Triangle Elementary School: 62.22
• 957th. Auten Road Intermediate School: 53.09

Schools that have third grade or higher also have "summative percentile rating," which shows how they compare to other high schools, middle and elementary schools. Those give elementary schools more weight in their scoring because they don't have the exact same criteria as high schools (like graduation rates).

The summative percentile ratings, and their statewide rankings are:

• 41st. Hillsborough Township Elementary School: 98.10
• 111th. Sunnymead Elementary School: 94.79
• 185th. Woods Road Elementary School: 91.23
• 225th. Woodfern Elementary School: 89.34
• 302th. Amsterdam Elementary School: 85.60
• 390th. Hillsborough Township High School: 81.38
• 520th. Hillsborough Township Middle School: 75.12
• 624th. Triangle Elementary School: 70.20
• 950th. Auten Road Intermediate School: 54.50

"It is always great news when a Hillsborough school is recognized for the wonderful work that occurs in its classrooms. Ratings such as these are never able to fully paint a picture of the amazing work that is done on a daily basis by the dedicated teachers, staff, students, and administrators of this district," said Dr. Jorden Schiff, Superintendent of Hillsborough Public Schools.

For a complete statewide list of rankings, click here.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.