All six of the Hendricks County public high schools were recently included on the “Best Buy” list of high schools by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. That includes Avon, Brownsburg, Cascade, Danville, Plainfield, and Tri-West high schools.
The chamber calculates the highest achievement levels for the lowest amount of tax dollars of 357 Indiana public high schools. They use ISTEP+ pass rates, ISTEP+ Pass+ rates, graduation rates, SAT participation rates and average composite scores, and Advanced Placement passing scores to calculate the total school performance index for each school.
The index, referred to as the school’s quality index, was compared to each school’s total revenues per pupil to determine the “best buy” schools. From that list, “honor roll” schools were selected, based on each school’s at-risk student/poverty rate, as measured by participation in the federal free/reduced lunch program.
For 2009, 135 schools were designated as “best buy” schools for giving taxpayers the most value for their money.
A school was named a “best buy” if it had a quality index above the state median and revenues below the statewide median of $10,179 per student; and if the quality index ranking was 20 percent higher than the school’s revenue ranking.
Aside from the “Best Buy” list, 26 high schools were given the “honor roll” distinction for excelling academically, despite having at-risk student demographics above the statewide median.
The top five schools from the “Best Buy” and “Honor Roll” lists were then selected as “Head of the Class” members.
Plainfield Community High School was among those named “Head of the Class.” It was the first time for the school to be named to the list.
“All of the ‘Best Buy’ schools are getting the utmost out of their taxpayer dollars by, in turn, delivering high-quality education to their students,” Indiana Chamber President Kevin Brinegar said. “This balancing act of limited funding while realizing a varied and competitive education is no easy task. Businesses and communities in these areas should be very proud of what their schools are achieving and how their students are being readied for further education paths and a competitive job market.”
The SAT and AP test data used in the “Best Buys” report was provided directly by the Indiana Department of Education. All other data was collected from Indiana Department of Education databases.
To view the report and learn which high schools are among Indiana’s “Best Buys,” visit the website at www.indianachamber.com/bestbuys.
Local News
County schools named to ‘Best Buy’ list
Plainfield selected as ‘Head of the Class’
- Local News
-
-
County looks to battle water illnesses
The week prior to Memorial Day serves as National Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week.
-
Howie Mandel to serve as 500 honorary announcer
Howie Mandel, standup comedian and judge on “America’s Got Talent,” will serve as honorary announcer for the 96th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on May 27.
-
Why do young white women risk cancer to be tan?
A CDC report out this month found that nearly one in three white women aged 18 to 25 had used a tanning booth in the previous year. White women aged 18 to 21 went the most often, averaging 27.6 sessions per year—that’s over two sessions per month—while nearly 70 percent said they had gone at least 10 times in the last year.
-
BCSC raises $30,000 for Race for the Cure
Basketball season may have ended a few months ago for the Bulldog community, but the school system decided to give the Susan G. Komen Foundation one extra large, record assist as they recently announced raising $30,000 in the Race for the Cure fight against breast cancer.
-
Drive for Damon golf scramble set
A golf scramble to raise money for disabled former Ben Davis High School basketball star Damon Parks is set for 1 p.m. June 3 at Riverside Golf Course in Indianapolis.
-
Brownsburg fights back with Relay for Life
For 24 hours, it will be non-stop community versus cancer in town as the Relay for Life event will takes place. The event will start at 5 p.m. June 1 at the Brownsburg West Middle School track.
-
Dawes, county celebrate retirement
The impact that Dennis Dawes has left on Hendricks Regional Health will not be soon forgotten.
-
Young racing team plants roots and more in Brownsburg
When Belardi Racing decided to uproot its operation and move to Hendricks County, they got the idea that maybe they should put some roots down.
-
500 Festival celebrates with breakfast event
With practices and qualifications going on at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Saturday was a busy day for everyone involved.
-
Relay returns
With battling cancer and raising awareness in mind, the Wayne Township area hosted its Relay for Life this past weekend at the Chapel Hill 7th and 8th Grade Center.
- More Local News Headlines
-
County looks to battle water illnesses
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Raw Video: Tornado Appears During Wedding
HP to Cut 27,000 Jobs, Save Up to $3.5B
Inquiry Hears Wider Secret Service Misbehavior
Md. 911 Dispatcher Caught Sleeping on Job
Raw Video: Toddler Trapped in Washing Machine
Iowa Man With Zebra, Parrot in Truck Gets DUI
Egyptians Pick New President in Free Election
Giant Bull Head Draws Drivers to South Dakota
Astrodome Fades As Houston Decides Fate
Franciscan Files Tell Stories of Priest Abuse
Wildfire Destroys 2 Homes
Flight Diverted After Suspicious Note
Joplin Remembers Deadly Tornado, 1 Year Later
Panel Recommends Against Routine Prostate Test
Fired Lingerie Employee Claims Discrimination
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
Cuba Waiting for Cyber Age to Come
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
