Newsweek magazine names Simley High School one of America's best for a fourth straight year!
June 22, 2011
For a fourth consecutive year, Newsweek magazine recognized Simley High School as one of the best schools in America.
Not
only did Simley retain its status as one of the best schools in America
but the school's ranking was also nearly cut in half, jumping from 800
to 478.
“This
honor is a testament to the dedication our students commit year after
year to work hard to prepare themselves for college,” said Simley High
School Principal Gerald Sakala. “Our teachers challenge and motivate
students so that they are focused and ready to meet the rigorous demands
immediately when they start their post-secondary education.”
Newsweek
determined rankings based off of six key components: graduation rate
(25%), college matriculation rate (25%), AP tests taken per graduate
(25%), average SAT/ACT scores (10%), average AP/IB/AICE scores (10%),
and AP courses offered (5%).
Students
are especially appreciative of the variety of course offerings and
programs available at Simley that prepare them for college.
"I
liked all of the opportunities that Simley gave me: athletics, AP
classes and PSEO," said Sadie Saindon, a 2011 Simley graduate.
Simley
has further expanded its AP program and will offer 14 AP courses this
fall including the addition of biology and economics.
The high
Newsweek ranking marks the second significant achievement that Simley
has reached this month. In mid-June, the Washington Post ranked Simley
High School the 15th public high school in the state of Minnesota in its
High School Challenge. The Post
ranked Simley 959th in the nation. The rankings were determined by
dividing the number of Advanced Placement (AP), International
Baccalaureate (IB) or other college-level tests taken in 2010 by the
number of graduating seniors.
“The
data that drives these rankings speaks for itself,” said Sakala.
“Students at Simley High School continue to invest in their education
and begin to work towards accomplishing life goals, making Simley an
academic institution known for equipping students with the proper tools
for success at college and beyond.”
Click here to view the Newsweek article and Simley's ranking. 
