Thread: All Immigrant school 6th In the nation

US News & World Report's 'Best High Schools' survey names Newcomers High tops in city, #6 in country
BY Joe Kemp and Meredith Kolodner
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS

Originally Published:Wednesday, December 9th 2009, 9:00 PM
Updated: Thursday, December 10th 2009, 9:03 AM

Theodorakis/NewsNewcomers High is one of 12 NYC public school among U.S. News & World Report's best 100 high schools. News & World Report's coveted list of the nation's 100 best high schools.

Newcomers High School in Long Island City, which only accepts students who have arrived in the country in the past year, placed sixth - the highest ranking of the 12 city public schools that were honored.

"For many students, they were at JFK [airport] Wednesday, and today they are here," said Principal Orlando Sarmiento, a native of Colombia. "This is a little Ellis Island."

The school, which enrolls close to 1,000 students who speak 30 different languages, offers eight Advanced Placement courses and myriad arts and music programs funded through a federal grant.

"From the very beginning, we stress that we have very high expectations and then we work hard to meet the needs of the whole child," said Sarmiento, a founding teacher at the school, which is making its debut on the list.

Riaz Ahmed Wednesday was registering his son Mojeeb, 15, who just arrived from Pakistan.

"I'm glad and hope that it works out for the future of my son," said Ahmed, who lives in Jamaica, Queens.

Current students say the school has helped them settle into the U.S., as well as learn about the customs of other countries.

"It's really cool," said Eric Leon, 18, who emigrated from Ecuador. "The people are great. I understand better these cultures. I feel more like home."

New York State had 23 schools in the list's top 100 - more than any other state.

Queens High School for the Sciences at York College also made its debut this year.

The No. 1 spot in the nation went to Thomas Jefferson High School in Virginia.

U.S. News & World Report took a look at more than 21,700 schools. The report factors in state test scores and the success of poor and minority students on these exams, as well as a school's performance on Advanced Placement tests.
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/edu ... _city.html
mkolodner@nydailynews.com At the very bottom of the story Is the number one rated High School with predominately caucasian students that are American Citizens....... TS

I wonder if their testing criteria is watered down to meet the needs of affirmative action like it is in Texas?

Quote:
"For many students, they were at JFK [airport] Wednesday, and today they are here," said Principal Orlando Sarmiento, a native of Colombia. "This is a little Ellis Island."

However, Ellis Island unfortunately long since has been closed, and requiring that any of these people go through an extra, separate screening procedure at JFK (or any other U.S. port of entry) to prove conclusively that they are entering this country legally now would be considered "fascist discrimination and repression". Not to mention the hue and cry that would arise if it were required that students who arrived on temporary visas have those re-checked and verified throughout their years at this (and all other) U.S. public schools to make sure their visas are current.

Originally Posted by avenger

I wonder if their testing criteria is watered down to meet the needs of affirmative action like it is in Texas?

No it's not but the school size is much smaller than most and the cost spent per student is almost twice that of an average HS here in NYC.

The school discriminates against anyone who isnt newly arrived within a year? Thats exactly what they are doing.

Originally Posted by Ratbstard

Originally Posted by avenger

I wonder if their testing criteria is watered down to meet the needs of affirmative action like it is in Texas?

No it's not but the school size is much smaller than most and the cost spent per student is almost twice that of an average HS here in NYC.

...same effect