Top High Schools in Silicon Valley
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Newsweek published its annual list of best public high schools in America, though in order to qualify for the list, schools had to respond to a survey the magazine sent. Of the more than 10,000 public high schools in the country, Newsweek says, only 1,100 replied. So make of that what you will.
497. George Washington, San Francisco
250. California, San Ramon
244. Mills, Millbrae
225. Hillsdale, San Mateo
184. Analy, Sebastopol
132. Summit Prepatory Charter, Redwood City
83. Piedmont, Piedmont
61. Mission San Jose, Fremont
42. Henry M. Gunn, Palo Alto
The Best High Schools in Silicon Valley per “Education.com”
Henry M. Gunn High School Palo Alto
2010 API 918
2011 API 909
SAT %tested 85.56 reading 633 math 673 writing 636
ACT %tested 41.63 average score 28.2
The community members living near Henry M. Gunn High School, even those without children enrolled at the school, provide incredible support through volunteering, voting for funding, and donations. The school gives students advanced opportunities through many educational partnerships, including working with Stanford and San Jose State for instruction. Local companies also provide equipment to enhance the classroom studies.
Technology education is also emphasized through courses in computer science, virtual animation, robotics, and automotive technology. iPads are currently being piloted at the school and technology is integrated into the curriculum.
The school offers many AP classes and many academic teams take top honors in events. To promote the whole child, the school provides many opportunities for exposure to the arts including choir, several bands, ceramics, theater, and video production. Athletics are popular and competitive on campus, and a high percent of students playing a sport. While some 135 clubs available are focused on fun, the majority of the clubs focus on service.
“Because our school is in Silicon Valley, there is definitely a feeling here and an environment that supports and permeates of feeling of inquiry, knowledge, and drive,” said Katya Villalobos, Principal.
Lynbrook High School San Jose
2010 API 938
2011 API 943
SAT %tested 92.73 reading 619 math 690 writing 640
ACT %tested 24.17 average score 28.48
School spirit runs high at Lynbrook High, from students showing up to cheer on athletic teams to participation in school activities. The students are also very involved in the community and complete many service hours, even though there is no community service requirement for graduation. The teachers base their classroom instruction on research and participate in extra professional development.
Technology is utilized throughout the school and in the classrooms, and students have access 24 hours a day to online resources. A large selection of AP and Honors courses are offered and peer tutoring is also offered through the Star Program.
Many of arts programs are award-winning, including the dance team, music programs, and art and design programs. The school has over 75 clubs and many have received state and national recognition, such as the Math Club, Science Clubs, Future Business Leaders of America, Robotics Team, Speech & Debate Team, and Japanese Honor Society. Many students also take top honors each year at the Science Fair. The yearbook, newspaper, and literary magazine have also taken home awards in recent years.
“There is a great love of learning at Lynbrook High. Students are focused and involved in the school.” Said Principal Gail Davidson.
Monta Vista High School Cupertino
2010 API 943
2011 API 949
SAT %tested 87.66 reading 614 math 681 writing 636
ACT %tested 34.74 average score 28.49
While Monta Vista High School is highly academically focused, the school also boasts a high level of school spirit. The school pays great attention to college preparation and sends 97 percent of students to college after graduation. The AP program is a source of pride on campus; over 1800 tests were administered in a recent year with an 89 percent pass rate. In 2010, the school had 53 National Merit Semi Finalists and 87 National Merit Commended Scholars.
On Challenge Days that take place throughout the year, students can participate in games, activities and discussions regarding bullying. Although the school does not require community service hours, the student body contributes many volunteer hours to the school and community. Many activities are available for students include musical groups, Mock Trial, Robotics, and NHS (National Honor Society). A full array of sports teams are available and the Dance Team is highly competitive on a national level.
Principal April Scott writes on the school website, “We are all about developing the whole child, helping students to develop academically, personally, and culturally. We try to maintain our stated goal constantly in mind: Educating the Whole Child and Educating Every Child.”
Mission San Jose High School Fremont
2010 API 890
2011 API 900
SAT %tested 93.15 reading 630 math 681 writing 647
ACT %tested 26.61 average score 29.33
If you attend graduation at Mission San Jose High School, you will notice that there is not a single valedictorian, but rather an astounding 28. Because the school has a very large population of high achieving students, the school awards all students who achieve a 4.0 for all four years (they don't weigh grades) the honor of valedictorian. To further help the students stay on equal footing with students from other high schools when applying for college, the school also does not rank students.
Parents are very involved and many students are the first in their family to be born in the United States. The school does not offer any basic level classes and the majority of the students take AP or honors classes; Mission San Jose boasts many National Merit Finalists and Semifinalist each year. To help students learn balance, stress reduction workshops are taught and there are stress-free weeks that include reduced homework during the year.
The academic teams, including the Ocean Bowl and Robotics Team, bring home many trophies. The dance team often wins top honors and the band has traveled internationally to perform. The school has many successful sports teams, including a nationally ranked Badminton team.
“We try to keep a balanced atmosphere at Mission San Jose. While we are very high achieving, it is still high school and the kids still need to have fun and be creative.” said Sandra Prairie, Principal.
2010 API n/a
2011 API n/a
SAT %tested 93.82 reading 619 math 665 writing 639
ACT %tested 42.65 average score 27.91
With the a culture of high achievement at the school, the administration at Saratoga High School seeks to help students find balance while still working towards success. The school provides a college preparatory education and sends 95 percent of students to college after graduation.
Many of the students have cultural ties to another country, which means students are exposed to new ideas on a daily basis. Since many of the students are focused on getting accepted at top colleges, the school focuses on helping students not getting burned out before college and finds way for the students to be teenagers.
The music program has reputation for excellence and features a string orchestra, choral group, and wind ensemble. Musically-inclined students perform in the community at various events. The drama program puts on numerous productions in the state of the art campus theater that many community members attend. Athletics provide another outlet for students and teams are competitive in the league. Many clubs are available on campus to further student interests. Students interested in website design and game animation can attend the Media Arts Program, which is a school within the school.
“Our goal isn’t trying to bring up test scores, our goal is to help the kids to develop in all areas of their life,” said Principal Jeff Anderson.
The following schools are examples of how you can not assume that just because a community is upper class that the schools are in the upper tier of their community.
Other Fremont Unified District High Schools
Menlo-Atherton
2010 API n/a
2011 API n/a
SAT %tested 56.1 reading 590 math 600 writing 595
ACT %tested 15.26 average score 25.69
Woodside High School Woodside
2010 API n/a
2011 API n/a
SAT %tested 42.07 reading 514 math 524 writing 522
ACT %tested 17.79 average score 22.8
Hillsdale High School San Mateo
2010 API n/a
2011 API n/a
SAT %tested 44.24 reading 531 math 556 writing 541
ACT %tested 21.22 average score 22.97
