RI’s #1 School 2012: East Greenwich High School

Monday, May 14, 2012

Tracey Minkin, GoLocalProv Features Editor

 

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Top-notch NECAPs and SATs keep East Greenwich High School at the top of the rankings for the third year in a row.

In what could be described as a local educational dynasty, East Greenwich High dominates the Top High School rankings for the third year in a row, and holds its premiere spot at #1.

Despite a slight dip in each of its NECAP scores from last year's performance, EGHS still hits homeruns across the board on RI's standardized benchmark tests: 91% above proficient Reading, 64% Math, and 76% Writing. And East Greenwich continues to wow on the SATs, where the school's students turned in the best averages in Rhode Island in every category, a standardized testing hat trick.

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Another hallmark of East Greenwich is bang for the buck--top-notch scores for $14,086 per-pupil spending, which is among the lower spending rates in the Top 10 in this year's ranking. With such high numbers throughout its profile, though, this lower amount was not enough to bring the champion down in ranking.

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Families who are invested

Deidre Gifford, Chairman of the East Greenwich School Committee, sees East Greenwich's families as the foundation of the school's ongoing success. "Whether it is in athletics, music, PTG, academics, or any number of other school-related activities," Gifford said, "we can always count on strong involvement from our students' families. This sends the message to our kids that education is important and should be a priority."

It takes a community

With what Gifford called "little state funding" to support the schools, the burden has fallen on local property taxes. But East Greenwich, which enjoys high property values and an invested community, has shouldered that burden in spades. "Even in difficult economic times, the Town has supported continued excellence in our educational programs," Gifford said, citing recent projects that included modernizing science labs and a "long overdue" renovation of athletic fields at the high school. "The Town of East Greenwich has made it clear that excellent schools are a priority."

Teachers make the difference

And last, but in no means, least, Gifford laid laurels where they are due - at the feet of East Greenwich High School's faculty. "We are extremely fortunate to have a very strong and stable faculty at our high school," he said. "Even with strong family and community support, we would not have an excellent high school without excellent teachers in the classroom. All of us are grateful to them for their hard work and dedication to our kids."

A view from a gradaute

"EGHS has always pushed its students to be the best they can be," said Megan Soule, a recent graduate. "The students are very strong academically and well-rounded. They are involved in many extracurricular activities in the school and in the community."

This is no laid-back high school. Yes, it's competitive, said Soule, but cited the overall EGHS community as a supportive environment. "The faculty and staff become close with the students," she said. "With such a small school, everyone knows everyone and that is a good thing at our school. Whenever someone is in trouble there are always people there to help that person out."

East Greenwich High at a Glance

Enrollment: 758

Mascot: Avengers

Famous Alums:

  • Donald Carcieri, Governor of Rhode Island
  • Suzanne Carcieri, First Lady of Rhode Island
  • Debra Messing, Actress
  • Mark Zito, Radio Host
  • Leeann Tingley, 2006 Miss Rhode Island USA

 

For a printable version of RI's Top High Schools 2012, with the full chart of rankings and summaries of key articles, Download PDF

 

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