Barron Collier grabs bragging rights in high school rankings

COLLIER COUNTY — There is a large gap — 358 spots — between the highest and lowest achieving high schools in Collier County.

Demographics played a leading role in how schools stacked up in the new Department of Education statewide ranking of elementary, middle and high schools. Not surprisingly, Barron Collier High topped the list at No. 38 out of 404 high schools.

“Any time you rank 400 schools and come out on top, it’s a positive thing,” said Barron Collier Principal Tim Kutz. “But unless you’re sitting at the No. 1 spot, there’s always room for improvement.”

Immokalee High School is ranked No. 396 — eight spots from the bottom of the list.

Behind A school Barron Collier, are Gulf Coast High at No. 70 and Naples High at No. 84. Gulf Coast High and Naples High are both B schools. Immokalee High is a C school.

The numerical ranking is based on Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test scores, learning gains in reading and math, and learning gains in reading and math among the lowest 25 percent of students in each school.

High Schools also are ranked based on graduation rates, student participation and performance in accelerated coursework, and postsecondary readiness.

This is the second new state ranking as a result of Gov. Rick Scott’s push for a more transparent education system. Last week, the state released a ranking of all school districts. Collier ranks No. 33. Lee ranks No. 22.

“Floridians care about education and it is critical that our students have access to world-class schools that will give them a pathway to a successful career,” Scott said in a press-release. “Measuring each school’s performance helps gauge our progress toward that goal.”

Critics of the school ranking say it further stigmatizes schools based on race and income.

At Immokalee High, 95 percent of students are minorities and 92 percent of students qualify for free and reduced lunch. Before bumping up to a C school in 2010, the school teetered back and forth between a D and F grade.

At Barron Collier High, 26 percent of students are minorities and 24 percent of students qualify for free and reduced lunch. It has been an A or B school for the past 10 years.

Proponents of the ranking say it raises the level of competition among schools and interest from parents and community members.

Kutz acknowledged that most Barron Collier students already are one big step ahead of other district schools — they have highly supportive and engaged parents. He said parents respond to the school’s needs, they come to conferences and support academics.

“That’s the big difference between the top and bottom of the list — the parental support,” he said.

Collier schools Chief Instructional Officer Beth Thompson said the ranking gives schools a better snap shot of where they stand statewide.

“Schools are focused on competing with themselves,” Thompson said, rather than on a school-by-school basis.

Kutz said schools should not view the list as “us versus them.”

“They’re Barron Collier students or they’re Immokalee students,” he said. “But at the end of the day they’re all Collier students ... all Florida students ... all United States students.”

Barron Collier’s closest competition is neighboring Fort Myer’s High School, ranked No. 25.

The three top ranked Collier middle schools are Marco Island Charter (No. 35), North Naples (No. 62), and Oakridge (No. 67.)

The three highest ranked elementary schools are Pelican Marsh (No. 60), Sea Gate (No. 127), and Vineyards (No. 294).

Kutz and Thompson said this list should encourage schools to imitate good practices at higher ranking schools. Despite being No. 38 in the state, Barron Collier still has improvements to make with students who fall in the lowest 25 percent for reading.

“We’ll look at those schools from one to 37 that are similar, that don’t have special programs or center for the arts, and we’ll pick their brains,” he said. “We’ll ask, ‘What are you doing that works? What can we latch onto?’”

For the complete list of school rankings, visit www.fldoe.org/Ranking/Schools.