Posted June 22, 2012

District ranks in top five for 11th consecutive year, places in bottom third in cost per pupil

North Colonie ranked fourth out of 85 school districts in the region for academic performance in the Capital Region's annual survey of districts for an 11-county area.

The rankings were published in the weekly newspaper's "Schools Report" in the June 22 edition. They are based upon all districts' New York State School Report Cards for 2010-11.

North Colonie has ranked among the top four districts each year since 2001 and has been named the number one district six times.

Superintendent D. Joseph Corr thanked parents for their support and administrators, teachers and staff for their fine work.

"The continued committment to the students of North Colonie never wavers," he said. "After another challenging school year, this news is a reminder that we have much to celebrate."

The Business Review uses data from the New York State Education Department to rank each district. The data includes student scores on Regents exams and state assessments in language, reading, math, science and social studies, as well as graduation statistics, such as the percentage of graduates who earn a Regents diploma with an advanced designation, and the percentage of seniors who plan to attend college or another form of post-secondary school.

North Colonie also ranked in the bottom third of The Business Review's cost per pupil comparison of area districts, but in the top tier in the state's list of graduation rates for high school students. The district ranks 73rd in cost per pupil among 91 school districts surveyed at $16,868 per student, while its graduation rate increased to 91 percent, overall.

The district also ranked as the fifth best school in math and science scores. In science scores alone, the district was the second best in the area. The science rankings are based on a formula that factors in science scores for grades four and eight, plus high school science regents exams. The math rankings use a formula that factors in all math scores for grades three through high school regents exams in algebra, geometry and trigonometry.

Shaker High School encourages students to exceed the minimum requirements to earn a Regents diploma. High school students are offered a robust curriculum that includes programs such as University in the High School, which allows students to earn college credits in various subjects. Earning college credits while in high school gives students an advantage when applying to college, saves them money when they get there and exposes them to different cultures, which is becoming more important in today’s increasingly global economy.

To view The Business Review's entire "Schools Report," visit:

http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/feature/schools-2012/.