U.S. News ranks MCVTS academies among top high schools in state and nation

U.S. News ranks MCVTS academies among top high schools in state and nation

Middlesex County Academy for Science, Mathematics and Engineering Technologies in Edison and Middlesex County Academy for Allied Health and Biomedical Sciences in Woodbridge have both been ranked in the Top 10 among New Jersey public high schools and the Top 100 nationwide in U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best High Schools rankings.

The two academies, part of the Middlesex County Vocational and Technical School District, were the top two high schools in Middlesex County in the U.S. News rankings.

Edison Academy was No. 3 in New Jersey and No. 61 in the United States, while Woodbridge Academy was No. 6 in the state and No. 75 in the nation among more than 23,000 public schools surveyed. U.S. News uses performance on state assessments and college readiness, including math and reading proficiency and the graduation rate, to arrive at its rankings.

“I am so proud to congratulate the students and staff of the MCVTS Academies of Allied Health and Biomedical Sciences and Math, Science and Engineering for their outstanding accomplishment on being ranked third and sixth of the Top 10 high schools of New Jersey” Superintendent of Schools Dianne D. Veilleux said.

“It is the culmination of all of the hard work of students, teachers and family members to scale such heights,” she added. “These excellent schools produce the next generation of engineers, scientists and health-care professionals. Our future is in good hands.”

U.S. News found that the Edison Academy, which is on the campus of Middlesex County College, had 85 percent participation in Advanced Placement courses, with all of the students who took at least one AP exam passing and receiving credit for at least one college-level course. Edison Academy had 100 percent math and reading proficiency and graduation rates.

The AP participation rate at Woodbridge Academy was 94 percent, with 97 percent of those who took at least one AP exam passing and receiving credit. Woodbridge Academy score 97 percent in math proficiency and 100 percent in reading proficiency and graduation rate.

The Edison and Woodbridge academies, along with the MCVTS Perth Amboy Campus, have been designated National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education.

Admission to both the Edison Academy, with 160 students, and the Woodbridge Academy, with 272 students, is competitive.

"This is a recognition of the talent in Middlesex County and a testament to the county's commitment to vocational education and STEM education in particular,” said Edison Academy Principal John Jeffries. “Our learning community of students, faculty and staff are proud to be among the top schools in the state and named as one of the top STEM schools in the nation."

“We are so honored to be a 2019 Best Schools recipient,” said Woodbridge Academy Principal Terri Ann Sullivan. “Our success can be attributed to both the staff's laser-like focus on academics through the development of engaging, relevant, hands-on lessons and the students' dedication to learning, applying their learning, and developing leadership and stewardship in the community.

“Through participation in dual-enrollment college classes, research projects, and mentorships, our students graduate eager to pursue advanced learning opportunities; they leave us college-ready and career-prepared. It is a team effort with the families, staff, and district personnel that allows us to continue to aim higher.