Summary:
The city of Hackensack, New Jersey is home to two high schools: Hackensack High School and Bergen County Academies. While both serve students in grades 9-12, the schools demonstrate stark differences in academic performance and student outcomes.
Bergen County Academies stands out as an exceptional school, ranking 10th out of 422 New Jersey high schools and earning a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school boasts a 99.2% 4-year graduation rate, 0% dropout rate, and exceptional academic achievement, with over 95% proficiency in core subjects. In contrast, Hackensack High School appears to be a lower-performing school, with a 1-star rating, lower test scores, higher chronic absenteeism, and a lower graduation rate compared to state and district averages.
The disparities between these two schools within the Hackensack School District and the Bergen County Vocational Technical School District highlight the significant inequities that can exist within a single geographic area. Factors such as school culture, curriculum, and socioeconomic status of the student population likely contribute to these differences in outcomes. The exceptional performance of Bergen County Academies demonstrates that high-quality public education is achievable, and could serve as a model for other schools and districts seeking to improve student success.
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