RBR Gets Top Rank from Washington Post

According to the Washington Post, Red Bank Regional (RBR) has been ranked as one of the most challenging high schools in the nation.

Of the 1,900 schools that made the eminent publication’s list (out of 22,000 public and private high schools in the country), RBR ranked number 889, or within the top half of the most challenging schools. 

RBR also ranked 19 of 93 in the state and number one in Monmouth County of those schools that were included in the poll.

The Washington Post’s list was compiled by creating a “challenge index” based on the total number of advanced placement, international baccalaureate and advanced international certificates of education tests to the total number of graduates for the year.

Nine percent of the nation’s high schools made the list, putting RBR within the top 5 percent of high schools in the nation by this measure.

 “Over the past several years, RBR made a concerted effort to increase the rigor of its programs and encourage all students to take more challenging classes," RBR Superintendent Dr. Jim Stefankiewicz said. "This effort was enhanced through the elimination of lower level courses thus requiring all students to at least take college prep courses. Currently, one-third of all RBR 11th and 12th grade students take a minimum of one AP and/or IB course.”

Over time, RBR increased the number of AP classes offered and introduced the International Baccalaureate program for which students can seek an IB diploma or take certificate courses.

The RBR Board of Education also stipulated that any students enrolled in the most rigorous courses take the tests required for attaining credit. The board supports this requirement by substantially subsidizing the cost for AP tests, IB and dual credit courses.