Three northeast Indiana high schools were given the highest distinction Tuesday on the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s Best Buy list for providing excellent academics and a good value for taxpayers.
Adams Central, South Adams and Warsaw Community high schools were named Head of the Class schools along with seven other Indiana high schools. Eighteen northeast Indiana high schools were named Best Buy high schools and six of those schools were given Honor Roll distinction.
The distinction came from a study conducted by the Chamber, which examined 357 Indiana public high schools and charter schools. The study looked at state test scores, graduation rates, the number of students who took the SAT and their scores, and the number of students who took Advanced Placement tests and their scores. Those data were compared with each school’s expenditures per student and the number of students who take part in the federal free- or reduced-price lunch program.
For 2008, 135 schools were designated a Best Buy for giving taxpayers the most for their money, and 26 schools were given Honor Roll distinction for excelling academically despite having an at-risk student population above the statewide median. The top five Best Buy and top five Honor Roll schools were selected to represent this year’s Head of the Class.
"In the last five years, our high school has really focused on can we increase the rigor that we’re offering our high school kids," said Michael Pettibone, superintendent of Adams Central Community Schools.
In 2003, five students passed the Advanced Placement test and in 2008, 33 students passed, he said. Pettibone said he realizes there are districts that have more students who take Advanced Placement courses but for Adams Central it’s an accomplishment.
"There’s really been a commitment of our staff to say, ‘OK, how can we up the ante a little bit and raise our expectations?’ It’s been fun to watch that, so we do feel fortunate," Pettibone said. "We’ve got great kids, we’ve got great families, we’ve got teachers that are working hard so this is what happens."
Deb Neumeyer, principal at Carroll High School, said Northwest Allen County Schools’ high school has made the Chamber’s list every year for at least 10 years.
"I don’t know that we’re doing anything unique, I just think people are working hard. We’re trying to do (the)best we can and maintain programs despite funding cuts," Neumeyer said. "Of course we always try to strive for excellence. You just have to keep striving to do that and each day continue to make that your goal and work with the resources you have."
