Forbes top prep schools

[MatriculationStats]

Last week, Forbes published an article ranking the top 20 prep schools (day schools were included) in the country based on college matriculation statistics (50%) and endowment, student/factulty ratio, faculty with advanced degrees (50%). Since they weren't very clear about their methodology, it's hard to determine exactly how the ratings turned out the way they did. In any event, DC area schools were shut out. I can't tell if they weren't considered because the leading candidates aren't very revealing about their matriculation statistics (I had to do some inferential work to determine what I use for St. Alban's and NCS and am still stymied by Sidwell), or the leading DC candidates simply didn't qualify.

Because I don't like the matriculation statistic they use (Ivy + Stanford + MIT), I created my own Top 25 list based on my favorite statistic (a weighted average index which looks at the top 25 national universities, top 15 liberal arts colleges and a handful of foreign universities - full methodology is disclosed on my website). Using this methodology, both NCS and St. Alban's make the top 25. Whether Sidwell would or wouldn't will have to remain a mystery unless my friend Michelle with 2 daughters there sends me a copy of their matriculation list (just joking!) You can see which DC area schools I have data for by looking at the day schools outside NYC page of my website.

Anyway, the list is at: http://matriculationstats.org/top-25

And some of my comments on the Forbes article are at: http://matriculationstats.org/musings

[Anonymous]

When will someone with your drive and ability make a similar index that statistically accounts for, and separates out, the legacy factor? I've never seen one and I assume it's near impossible to do.

Until then, I'd like to see a richer, broader index that equally weights matriculation with SAT -and- ACT scores (to capture those Chicago, etc schools); AP tests taken -and- points awarded (vs. "offered" by the school); and national merit finalists and semi-finalists.

[Anonymous]

Where would Sidwell fall on your list if you assume matriculation data comparable to STA/NCS?

[Anonymous]

It looks like Forbes did an almost identical story almost exactly one year ago. Maybe this topic is on some sort of repeating calendar, like the Washingtonian's yearly "Best Restaurants" list.
http://www.forbes.com/2009/04/06/america-elite-schools-leadership-prep.html
Many of the schools listed are identical, but not all.

[MatriculationStats]

Anonymous wrote:When will someone with your drive and ability make a similar index that statistically accounts for, and separates out, the legacy factor? I've never seen one and I assume it's near impossible to do.

Until then, I'd like to see a richer, broader index that equally weights matriculation with SAT -and- ACT scores (to capture those Chicago, etc schools); AP tests taken -and- points awarded (vs. "offered" by the school); and national merit finalists and semi-finalists.

Thanks for the compliment.

I agree that your first suggestion is near impossible to do given available data though I'm beginning to think that simply being a "normal" legacy (i.e. no special level of donations) doesn't do all that much for a student's admissions chances. I don't have any hard data to back that up, of course, but I'm starting to amass tidbits of confirmatory evidence. There are certainly other admissions preferences that do affect a student's chances that are

Sure, a richer, broader index would be nice. Be prepared for lots and lots of bickering over the details. By not aiming that high and confining myself to fully objective statistics (for which one can offer whatever explanation one feels appropriate), I've stayed below most of those sort of shenanigans.

[MatriculationStats]

Anonymous wrote:Where would Sidwell fall on your list if you assume matriculation data comparable to STA/NCS?

I'm not sure I understand the question. If Sidwell had data comparable to STA/NCS it would fall where STA or NCS fall.

[Anonymous]

I attended one of the New England prep schools always listed among the most "elite", etc. and we have been looking at the local DC day schools for our child, though at a much younger age than high school. I'm sorry to say it, but the DC day schools really don't compare favorably at all. The facilities at these DC schools are comparable to an average American suburban high school, while the elite prep schools have hundreds of acres of campus with the facilities to match all but the top 50 or 100 COLLEGES in the country. The financial resources, alumni and family networks are without match unless you only want to talk about political, inside-the-beltway affiliations. Arts programs, study abroad, independent study, etc. are all a notch above at those prep schools.

It does seem that the DC area schools compare well in terms of college matriculation though, so if that is the top factor for families then that's a fine way to look at it. I guess I'd call the DC privates a magnet for many of the most intelligent kids of the families in a region where there are a lot of such kids. Just don't compare Sidwell or the Cathedral schools to Exeter, Andover, Choate, etc. - two totally different animals. As usual, money makes a big difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I attended one of the New England prep schools always listed among the most "elite", etc ...

So is this just one of those "I'm better than all you low-life peasants" posts? I'm not understanding how your post fits the thread. I went to some crappy-ass public school in the south, so I'm clearly too stupid to follow your thinking. Perhaps my kids and I are just genetically better suited to clean the pony stalls at one of those places. Please advise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I attended one of the New England prep schools always listed among the most "elite", etc ...

So is this just one of those "I'm better than all you low-life peasants" posts? I'm not understanding how your post fits the thread. I went to some crappy-ass public school in the south, so I'm clearly too stupid to follow your thinking. Perhaps my kids and I are just genetically better suited to clean the pony stalls at one of those places. Please advise.

You're right, you are too stupid. To make it easier for you, I'll explain: someone asked why DC schools weren't included in the Forbes list. The answer is that they don't deserve to be there based on most objective criteria (other than college matriculation). Now get back to work, since I am probably your boss.

[Anonymous]

My alma mater was #1 yahoo! Too bad I hated every minute of my 4 years there...

[Anonymous]

This has to be a troll. There's no way this PP could possibly be this asinine. George Bush, is that you?

Anonymous wrote:I attended one of the New England prep schools always listed among the most "elite", etc. and we have been looking at the local DC day schools for our child, though at a much younger age than high school. I'm sorry to say it, but the DC day schools really don't compare favorably at all. The facilities at these DC schools are comparable to an average American suburban high school, while the elite prep schools have hundreds of acres of campus with the facilities to match all but the top 50 or 100 COLLEGES in the country. The financial resources, alumni and family networks are without match unless you only want to talk about political, inside-the-beltway affiliations. Arts programs, study abroad, independent study, etc. are all a notch above at those prep schools.

It does seem that the DC area schools compare well in terms of college matriculation though, so if that is the top factor for families then that's a fine way to look at it. I guess I'd call the DC privates a magnet for many of the most intelligent kids of the families in a region where there are a lot of such kids. Just don't compare Sidwell or the Cathedral schools to Exeter, Andover, Choate, etc. - two totally different animals. As usual, money makes a big difference.

[SAM2]

Anonymous wrote:To make it easier for you, I'll explain: someone asked why DC schools weren't included in the Forbes list. The answer is that they don't deserve to be there based on most objective criteria (other than college matriculation).

Now I'm really mixed up, boss-man. You see, this dang objective data tells me that those boarding schools aren't any better than many of our local DC vo-tech schools. When you were bragging about your hundred-acre putting greens and such, I could sort of understand your point. You seemed like an ass, but I could understand you. Now I just don't know what to do. I guess that's why you're the boss.

Well, I better get back to work .... These turds ain't gonna polish themselves.

[Anonymous]

Oh no, OP. You have no idea the chaos will will now create with your post. There will be so many highly offended parents of local schools, mostly the alleged Big 3, who will vocalize and justify why the list is inconclusive. I can just hear it now....'if only this list had not been incomplete in considering such and such data, then surely St. Albans (or plug in school of your choice) would be on there". When the heated exchange starts flying, words like "troll" will pop up, which will be a sure indicator of sources. Prepare yourself.

[Anonymous]

I'm not surprised by the Forbes list, and the list does not change my opinion of the DC private schools. There is no way that any of the DC private schools make the top 20 nationwide if the list includes boarding and day. If the list were of day schools only, then, yes, I would expect to see at least one or two of the Big 3 on the list based on college admissions (and, yes, I am taking into account the legacy factor, which is a factor for all the top schools).

[Anonymous]

"You're right, you are too stupid. To make it easier for you, I'll explain: someone asked why DC schools weren't included in the Forbes list. The answer is that they don't deserve to be there based on most objective criteria (other than college matriculation). Now get back to work, since I am probably your boss. "

This is terribly rude and funny.

In the end, the DC "top" schools are selecting primarily on connections/DC social status, and only secondarily on IQ/performance. The NYC top privates on the list rarely touch kids under the 95% percentile, even for kindergarten, and thus they deliver superior results on scales like Forbes'.