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State Representative Joe Atkins
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4192
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
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RECORD NUMBER OF NORTHERN DAKOTA COUNTY SCHOOLS RANK AMONG BEST IN NATION
There must be something in the water in northern Dakota County. Newseek magazine recently released its annual report of the top 5 percent of high schools in the United States, and five northern Dakota County high schools ranked at the head of their class. Simley High School, South Saint Paul High School, Eagan High School, and Eastview High School all made the list, placing them among the top 1,300 high schools in the country.
Rankings calculated in the report consider the number of students enrolled in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate coursework. According to Newsweek and numerous college admissions officers, success in AP and IB courses are the single most telling indicators of a student’s potential to succeed in college.
“Dedicated teachers and hard-working students have been the driving forces behind making our local high schools a model for success," said State Representative Joe Atkins (DFL - Inver Grove Heights). Atkins was pleased to find out that the school districts he represents have more top high schools than any other Minnesota legislator.
Rep. Atkins has been a strong proponent of offering more rigorous courses for Minnesota students, to keep our students competitive.
“Let’s face it, our students aren’t just competing against students from other states anymore,” said Atkins. “Nowadays, they are competing against top students from around the world.”
“Students at Simley, South St. Paul, and Sibley have had opportunities to take tougher courses, and they have shown they can succeed at it,” Rep. Atkins continued. “This should put our local students at the front of the line for admission to college, college scholarships, and eventually good jobs.”
Of nearly 700 high schools across Minnesota, only 26 made Newsweek’s list of the top 5%. “To have five top high schools in such a small area is really remarkable,” said Atkins. “Maybe there really is something in the water around here.”
More information about how Minnesota schools ranked in Newsweek’s 2009 report is online at: http://www.newsweek.com/id/201160/?s=minnesota&q=2009/rank/1.
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