New Jersey Monthly: Hopatcong High Lowest-Ranked in Sussex

A recent report ranked Hopatcong High School No. 200 out of New Jersey's 322 public high schools, based off information from the state's Department of Education 2008-2009 school report cards.

The New Jersey Monthly Magazine report also gave Hopatcong High School Sussex County's lowest ranking, just five spots from No. 195 Wallkill Valley Regional High School

The report, which publishes bi-annually, had Hopatcong ranked No. 174 in 2008.

Hopatcong Superintendent Dr. Charles Maranzano said he wasn't worried about the ranking.

"Rankings are problematic in that they're set by limited criteria," he said. "They don't take into account the challenges you face."

The report said Hopatcong's average class size [23.8] was the county's highest while its average SAT score [1504] was sixth best out of eight high schools.

It also said the amount of Hopatcong graduates attending four-year colleges [38 percent] was among the lowest in the county. The report also broke down topics like average enrollment, student-faculty ratio, HSPA scores and number of AP tests offered.

Sparta earned the top spot, placing No. 78 overall, down 15 spots from 2008. Lenape Valley Regional High School [No. 108] and High Point Regional High School [125] were the county's top three finishers.

Maranzano said comparing public high schools is a messy business.

"When you compare us to Sparta, it's not an apples to apples comparison," Maranzano said, referring to what many consider Sussex County's most affluent town.

"The real measure of quality has to do with, 'Are you meeting the needs of the individual?' And we are. And I have to say that emphatically."

The report excluded special education, vocational-technical and private schools and schools lacking report card data. It also didn't consider the schools' district factor groups, which are assigned A to J based on socioeconomic criteria. Hopatcong placed about in the middle of the district factor groups at F, with Kittatinny Regional High School and Vernon High School.

Maranzano, who said Hopatcong sends about 85 percent of graduates to college, also said he wouldn't lose sleep over the ranking.

"I'm not going to obsess over the poll," he said.

The next report will most likely include data from schools reeling after Gov. Chris Christie's school state aid cuts earlier this year. Hopatcong lost $1.7 million in state funding, causing 28.5 layoffs within the district, according to Maranzano.

Maranzano said he was finished looking at the past.

"There are two sides to every story," he said. "I'm not crying sour grapes. But we need to look ahead."

Maranzano also said he was looking forward to the upcoming school year after delivering a message to teachers on their first day back Wednesday.

"I stared at a room filled with teachers who are ready to roll up their sleeves and get back to work," he said. "And I admire them so much. They're the soldiers."

Hopatcong schools reopen Sept. 7.