Posted: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 04:52 PM - 8,567 Readers
By: Amy Johnston
A new report from the Group "Children at Risk" analyzed schools in Central Texas and ranked them.
Researchers based their methodology on a number of factors - including college readiness - TAKS test results, attendance and class size.
Here's a look at what they found.
Top area high schools: Westlake in Eanes ISD, Westwood in Round Rock ISD, Lake Travis in Lake Travis ISD.
Top middle schools: Harmony Science Academy - Charter School, Canyon Vista Middle in Round Rock ISD and Canyon Ridge in Leander ISD.
The lowest rated middle schools: Burnet, Martin, Pearce Middle Schools -- all in Austin ISD.
The lowest rated high schools: Travis, Reagan and what was Johnston High School -- all in Austin ISD.
The top rated middle school is probably not a school you've heard of, and it's not located in the neighborhood you might expect. This small school is on Rundberg, just east of Interstate 35.
Harmony Science Academy is home to just 153 middle school students, and they have lofty life ambitions.
"I have a lot of choices: lawyer, pediatrician, pharmacist and teacher," said Hong Bui, an 8th grader.
"This year I have some sort of goal to read at least 100 books this year," said Marisol Quijada.
Administrators say there are big differences in this school compared to a public school, starting with size. The average class at Harmony is 20 kids; in Austin public schools, a core class has about 30 students. And at Harmony, kids are accountable.
"We just monitor, always, the students. We don't just say OK, we gave the test," said Principal Halit Erdogdu.
Students who struggle are required to do after school and Saturday tutoring, which means teachers are there, too. Teachers visit each student's home at least once a year, and that's where they find a lot of support.
"The parents are invested. They have to bring their kids here in the morning. They have to pick them up in the afternoon. They've chosen to have their kids go to this school, so I think that makes a big difference," said Heather Clifford, English teacher.
More students apply than the school can admit, so students are accepted on a lottery basis. The focus on science and math is a big draw -- right into the charter's high school.
"There's only 12 of us in my AP calculus class, which is really great because we got more one and one time with the teacher. If you need help with something you have a group that can help you out," said Ashley Agbasoga, senior.
If you take a look at the demographics of this charter compared to Austin public schools, it's pretty close. About 60 percent of their students are economically disadvantaged. But one in four students in Austin ISD speak English as a second language, that's something Harmony doesn't struggle with.
