News! May 13, 1998

Dobbs Ferry Ranks with Top 100 Schools
in National Advanced Placement Exams

Dobbs Ferry Schools' analysis of a recent Newsweek article shows that it ties for the 62nd ranked position in the nation for participation in Advanced Placement courses. According to the author of the Newsweek report, as many smaller schools as could be found were included in the article, but Dobbs Ferry was originally overlooked when the article went to press. The author plans to release a revised list. A number of other Westchester districts were ranked favorably, as follows:

Top Performing Westchester Districts Based on Participation in Advanced Placement Courses

District National Rank Average Family Income

Scarsdale 7 $192,000

Chappaqua 10 $140,000

Bronxville 21 $162,000

Rye 52 $148,000

Edgemont 54 $114,000

Dobbs Ferry 62 $64,422

Ardsley 72 $75,000

Byram Hills 87 $128,000

Dobbs Ferry schools superintendent Frank Tota was pleased - but not surprised by the analysis. Although a New York Times article published about the same time included an adverse reference to Dobbs Ferry, it did not refer to student test scores, he said. Dr. Tota explained that the Times mentioned a low percentage of Dobbs Ferry students getting Regents diplomas in the class of 1996, but the article did not take into account the students who earned the local diploma.

Dobbs Ferry students have always had the option of choosing a Regents course of study leading to a Regents diploma, or a local course of study leading to the rigorous Dobbs Ferry High School diploma (similar to that of Scarsdale, Bronxville and Irvington). The reason some of the other districts in the county were not similarly identified by the New York Times is that they do not offer the Regents diploma at all, and were excluded from the review.

The issue has confused many residents, said Dr. Tota. Aside from the Times data being two years old, an analysis of our academic performance would have shown that our students perform at or above the level of similar schools in communities like Irvington, Mamaroneck, Rye Neck, Harrison, and Great Neck. In almost every category, we have exceeded the percentages for all public schools and similar districts in academic performance.

For more information, contact:

Michael Stewart, Executive Director
Dobbs Ferry Schools Foundation
505 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
914-693-1500 ext. 3041

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