Norwin schools recognized in statewide rankings

Norwin’s elementary and middle school have been ranked in the top 100 statewide by the 2022 U.S. News & World Report of Best Schools.

Hillcrest Intermediate School, which is categorized as a middle level school, earned a ranking in the top 2% in the state. It was ranked 17th out of 939 middle level schools. The school’s high percentage of students scoring at or above proficient in reading and math was a key factor behind its strong ranking, said Norwin Superintendent Jeff Taylor.

The Norwin Middle School ranked 70th out of 939 middle level schools, or the top 7%. It earned accolades for its students scoring significantly higher than the state average in both math and reading proficiency, along with the experience level of its teachers, Taylor said.

At the elementary level, the magazine ranked 1,752 elementary schools in Pennsylvania, and all Norwin elementary schools each earned high rankings that ranged from the top 2% to 5%, due to factors such as high reading and math proficiency scores, experience level of teachers and the percentage of economically disadvantaged students served, Taylor said. Sunset Valley ranked 43rd, Hahntown placed 49th, Sheridan Terrace placed 85th and Stewartsville ranked 94th, the superintendent said.

“These rankings validate the district’s commitment to academic excellence and are a product of the hard work and dedication of all of our district stakeholders,” Taylor said.

The list of the best high schools for 2022 has not yet been released. However, Norwin High School ranked 143rd out of 711 high schools statewide in the 2021 edition.

The magazine determines its annual rankings based on each school’s share of students testing proficient or above proficient on state assessments, along with the socioeconomic factors.