By Karen Stokes
Dr. Darienne Driver addresses students at Milwaukee School of Languages (Photo by Karen Stokes)
It was good news for Milwaukee Public Schools. Milwaukee School of Languages located at 8400 W. Burleigh, was recognized as the “Most Challenging High School in Wisconsin” by The Washington Post. It was also ranked 25th by the U.S News and World Report Best Wisconsin high school list.
On Thursday, June 2, Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) celebrated eight area high schools that earned places on the best schools lists by the Washington Post and U.S. News and World Report at the Milwaukee School of Languages campus.
“This is a very exciting day when we have the opportunity to showcase our best Milwaukee Public Schools high schools,” Dr. Darienne Driver said. “The hard work the students put in, all the effort working with teachers and parents. I’m proud of you, this is really an accomplishment for all of us to share.”
Principals and students at MPS celebration (Photo by Karen Stokes)
The Washington Post’s America’s Most Challenging High Schools rank through an index formula that is a simple ratio: the number of Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced International Certificate of Education tests given at a school each year, divided by the number of seniors who graduated that year.
The Milwaukee schools ranked by Washington Post are:
• Milwaukee School of Languages, 1st
• Carmen High School of Science and Technology- South Campus, 2nd
• Rufus King International High School, 13th
• Riverside University High School, 25th
• MacDowell Montessori School, 27th
• Alexander Hamilton High School, 30th
• Milwaukee High School of the Arts, 32nd
• The U.S. News looks at overall student performance on state required tests. Schools were evaluated on how well they prepared students for college. This was based on participation in and performance on AP and IB exams.
The Milwaukee schools ranked by U.S. News and World Report
• Ronald Reagan College Preparatory High School, 2nd
• Rufus King International High School, 8th
• Milwaukee School of Languages, 25th
The number of MPS students taking college level AP and IB courses by 25 percent since 2013-2014 school year. There were more than 4000 students taking college level courses this year. “We want to make sure that every student has every tool in the box to be successful.” Driver said