Bernards High Ranked in Top 8% of NJ Schools in U.S. News List

In a list that also includes charter schools that can pick and choose its students, Bernards High School achieved the ranking of 33 on the 2013 U.S. News and World Report list of top high schools in New Jersey, comparing 395 high schools in the state.

The online list also ranked Bernards High as no. 501 nationally, after what the report said was a review of 21,000 high schools nationwide.

The criteria used in the report includes the ratio of teachers to students, college readiness, and proficiency in math and language, according to the categories in the high school rankings.

The report looks at Advanced Placement tests as an indicator for college readiness, giving Bernards High credit for having 50 percent of students take AP tests at the high school, with 44 percent passing the college-level exams.

"I truly appreciate all of the hard work and dedication that went into earning this accolade for our school," Scott Neigel, BHS Principal, said in an email on Wednesday.

Neigel said the report showed a substantial increase in Advanced Placement exam participation, and also in the passing rate. "The administrators and I are extremely proud of the contributions made by our dedicated teachers and outstanding students, all of  which contribute to making our school so successful."

The report also noted that Bernards High was above average in New Jersey based the state's testing. In math, 92 percent of the high school's students tested as proficient or higher, and 97 percent scored as proficient or above in language arts.

"The Somerset Hills School District is thrilled to have Bernards High School included in the U.S. News Best High Schools ranking," said Somerset Hills Schools Superintendent Peter Miller.

"It is a testament to the hard work and dedication put forth by our talented students and staff on a daily basis," Miller said. "While test scores are certainly not the only measure of success for our students, it is important that their impressive achievements in the classroom have been recognized by such a prestigious publication."

The regional school district draws students from Bernardsville, where the school buildings are based, as well as Far Hills and Peapack-Gladstone. High school students from Bedminster Township also attend Bernards High on a longstanding tuition-paying basis.