Schools

Superintendent Says 'No Way' to Cinnaminson HS Rating

Inside Jersey magazine rated high schools across the state recently, but Cinnaminson Superintendent Salvatore Illuzzi doesn't agree with the school's score.

A recent report from Inside Jersey magazine (NJ.com) has given Cinnaminson High School an unfavorable rating, but Superintendent Salvatore Illuzzi isn't buying it.

The magazine used a "proprietary formula" that compared test scores—SATs and High School Proficiency Assessments (HSPA)—over a four-year period, from 2008 to 2012, and analyzed not just the scores themselves, but how the schools' scores improved or didn't improve over that period.

Inside Jersey used a letter grade system—much like students receive—to rate the schools. Based on the magazine's rating system, Cinnaminson received a "D" for "below average score, below average growth."

According to the report, Cinnaminson averaged a 1521 on the SAT—higher than most other Burlington County high schools—and saw its HSPA score decline by 1 percent between 2008-12. 

However, Illuzzi said the rating clashes with recent reports that show Cinnaminson has the highest graduation rate in the county, and one of the highest in the region.

A state report released earlier this year also showed the district lagging in a number of areas—while excelling in others—but it had missing information, Illuzzi said. He had similar doubts about the Inside Jersey rating.

"We are questioning the rankings based on the reports that we have received through the year (SAT, HSPA, and graduation rates) when compared to other Burlington County school districts," he said. "That would be my first impulse. No way this school is a D."

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