The Bromfield School ranks fifth in Massachusetts and 170th nationwide according to the 2014 school ratings by U.S. News and World Report. The publication rated 352 high schools in the state and 19,400 in the nation.
U.S. News uses a school’s results in state proficiency tests (for Bromfield, the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System, or MCAS) to determine whether students are exceeding expectations in both reading and math proficiency. The magazine also evaluates high schools on the “college readiness” of their graduates, using test data from the advanced placement or international baccalaureate programs.
Bromfield students’ performance on the MCAS is a major factor in the school’s high rank. Last year, 98 percent achieved proficiency in math and 100 percent did so in English. On college readiness, Bromfield scored 66.4, which is not a percentage but simply a number on a 100-point scale.
Bromfield consistently finishes high on the state list, coming in sixth last year and second in 2010. But rankings are very volatile, especially at the national level, where so many schools are included. Very small differences in scores can lead to a large rise or fall in national standings. Bromfield was 87th nationwide in 2010 and in 149th place last year.
Within Massachusetts, the Boston Latin School ranked first this year, as it has for several years, with the Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School (Marlborough) second. Belmont High School and Wellesley High School ranked third and fourth, respectively. Dover-Sherborn Regional High School (which ranked above Bromfield last year) was seventh. The complete list is available at usnews.com.
