Schools

North, South Earn High Marks in National Ranking

Grosse Pointe North principal Tim Bearden attributes the growth to a program implemented three years ago to encourage students to seek more challenging classes.

Grosse Pointe Public Schools remained near the head of the class in the latest national high school ranking compiled by the Washington Post.

 upped its place in the top 3 percent to the top 2 percent of the annual poll, and the school was listed as one of the top three in Michigan.

surpassed 250 high schools nationwide, placing it in the top 3 percent in the country. Previously the school was ranked in the top 4 percent.

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The ranking, done by the Washington Post, ranks schools based on advanced placement, international baccalaureate and other testing versus the number of graduating seniors. The formula, according to the Post, doesn't necessarily speak to the quality of a school but it does show the level of focus on producing college-ready students.

Nationally, is ranked 498 and North is ranked at 911 out of more than 1,900 high schools. Within the state, both schools are also within the top 10–South in third place and North in seventh. 

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Grosse Pointe North principal Tim Bearden is happy with his school's growth, noting that while such rankings do have flaws, the notable improvement is good to see. 

Bearden attributes the growth to a change implemented three years ago with the students who will be seniors next school year that encourages what he calls leveling up. 

Essentially it encourages students to take more challenging courses, he said. The school has changed some requirements for advanced placement and honors courses to allow higher enrollment for those students interested in seeking out the challenge, he said. 

"We think the larger reason is an emphasis we have placed on students challenging themselves by taking the most rigorous curriculum available," Bearden said. "(We) are starting to see real benefits from that process. The leveling up concept is that students will 'rise to the occasion' when faced with more challenging curriculum and material, so we have reduced prerequisites and hurdles for honors and Advanced Placement courses, and encouraged students who historically might not have selected those courses to try them."

Research has shown students are less likely to fail when they are placed in more challenging courses rather than in those that are at their current academic level or even below their academic level, Bearden explained. 

During the current school year, North administered 625 advanced placement tests, Bearden said. That number is similar to the number administered during last school year despite lower enrollment, he said, explaining more students are taking those courses. 

Acting South Principal Joan Murphy shared an energetic email with the staff Friday related to the rankings, telling everyone to be proud of their accomplishments. 


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