New Canaan Official Not Fazed by High School's Rank

NEW CANAAN, Conn. – Although New Canaan High School is ranked just 15th among the state's high schools, incoming superintendent Mary Kolek says numbers can be deceiving.

New Canaan High School is not in the Top 10 of state high schools, according to the latest rankings by U.S. News & World Report. The rankings are based on student-teacher ratios, college readiness and proficiency in math and reading. New Canaan High is ranked 526th nationally, according to the magazine.

New Canaan’s ranking was affected by 2009 ranks on Advanced Placement tests, said Kolek, who is the deputy superintendent and who will take over as the school chief in July. A total of 375 AP exams were taken by New Canaan seniors three years ago, Kolek said. Last year, 554 AP tests were taken.

She also said 276 students were enrolled in AP classes in 2011, up from 217 in 2009, the year in which the U.S. News figures are based. The district was also named to the College Board’s New England District Honor Roll for getting more students involved in AP courses, Kolek said.

The district is focused on getting more students to take those classes as well as the end of the year exams, Kolek said. “We know we have a robust, college-ready program,” she said.

“The vast majority of people, including the citizens of New Canaan, know we have a very robust program and multiple data points over the log term are very strong,” she said.

Among area towns, Weston High ranks at No. 4. Staples High in Westport is No. 5. Darien comes in at No. 7, and Wilton takes No. 8.

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