In the rankings for 2013-2014’s top 25 public high schools in the nation listed on the statistics website called “Niche”, Glenbrook South was 19th.
Niche is a review website that focuses on statistically determining the best schools–from Kindergarten to college–according to different categories. Niche was formed by students of Carnegie Mellon University in 2002 with the intent to inform students with information to help their school decision process. The data and information that form the basis of Niche’s reviews is also shown on their site to inform the students, parents, and school administrators that make up the general population of the site.
According to Niche’s web-site, the process of accumulating and distributing the information Niche uses to make their statistics is unique in comparison to other data and statistic companies. Many other companies base their reviews solely on ACT scores, number of honors courses taken or the amount of AP classes available. Niche bases its reviews on a combination of factors including the characteristics of students attending the schools, their families, the overall success of students later in life and other data. Students are not the only people who view websites like Niche. School administrators pay attention to reviews of their schools.
“Some [school review websites] base results on common criteria […] while others use survey results,” Dr. Laura Cummings, assistant principal of student services said. “I think the challenging part is there is no consistency amongst all the different rankings.”
Specifically in Niche’s review of top 25 public high schools in the nation, Student culture and diversity, quality of teachers, and quality of resources and facilities were considered in addition to academic excellence.
“I think a great high school is so much more than the statistics,” Cummings said. “It is the culture and climate of the school. It is the school spirit and the participation. It is the civility that students and staff have for each other. It is the high expectations that both students and staff share. It is the investment that students and staff have in South.”
South was not the only Illinois school on Niche’s ranking. There are six other Chicago area schools on Niche’s ranking, including New Trier (20th), Glenbrook North (18th), Northside College preparatory high School (17th), Whitney M. Young Magnet High School (9th), Walter Payton College Preparatory High School (6th) and Adlai E. Stevenson High School (2nd).
Principal Dr.Brian Wegley’s initial reaction was wanting to learn more about Niche’s ranking of South. According to Wegley, “It seems like this ranking has used some thoughtful criteria.”
Rankings like this one from Niche are generally seen as a positive thing in school administrators’ eyes. While teachers and administrators are initially skeptical of the source and research behind the ranking, many teachers and administrators view these rankings as valid recognition for the school.
“I think it really does speak to that we live in an area that really values education and is really doing a good job in education,” Wegley said.
