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District leaders say rankings undercount dual‑enrollment offerings; board resists "chasing" rankings
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Summary
District presenters told the board that US News rankings for 2023 lag and emphasize AP exam participation, while the district offers 27 AP courses plus 24 dual‑enrollment options; leaders said the district values varied college‑level experiences and will explore adding courses without changing instructional priorities to chase rankings.
The Board heard a data‑driven presentation on school rankings and college‑level course offerings that emphasized choice between Advanced Placement and dual‑enrollment pathways. Mark Russo, the district's curriculum director, told the board that US News and World Report ranked Pascack Hills and Pascack Valley in the high 50s–60s statewide and that the methodology heavily weights AP exam participation and state assessment performance.
"These lists include selective, magnet and charter schools," Russo said, and the ranking data "came from 2022, 2023, and only that year's senior class," a lag he said can misrepresent current performance. He noted the district offers 27 AP courses and 24 dual‑enrollment courses — "for a total of 51" college‑level options — and that a substantial share of students choose dual enrollment rather than AP exams.
Why it matters: District leaders say the ranking methodology does not capture dual‑enrollment credits and therefore understates the district's college‑level offerings; the choice affects the district's reported AP participation rates and, by extension, rankings.
Russo presented data showing AP exam participation and pass rates are close for those who take exams, while many students opt for dual enrollment or applied alternatives. "Encouragingly, our students who do take AP exams tend to pass," Russo said. He added that some courses peers offer — like psychology, microeconomics and computer science principles — have been addressed through other strategies, such as dual‑enrollment partnerships and alternative course offerings.
Board member Mr. Phillips urged caution about altering instruction to boost an external ranking. "Chasing rankings is a rabbit hole," he said, arguing the district should focus on what serves students. The board discussed adding AP microeconomics in the fall and exploring partnerships to expand dual enrollment without compromising other electives and special programs.
Next steps: The curriculum committee will continue evaluating whether to offer additional AP titles or expand dual‑enrollment partnerships; staff said they will present options and potential enrollment implications to the board.
