Newsweek Magazine publishes a ranking of 1,300 public high schools.

While the criteria for any ranking can be questioned, it bothers me that Brighton continues to FALL from the lofty position it held in 2003.

Here are the rankings (for the last 5 years published):

2008 #158

2007 #87

2006 #93

2005 #47

2003 #26

The Brighton budget went UP from (approx.) $43 million to $58 million during this period…a 35% increase to $15,700 per student.

Should our ranking have fallen from #26 to #158 with 35% MORE money being spent on the SAME number of students during this period?

Of interest: Little Rock Central, in Little Rock, AR, ranked #36 this year. This school district is spending $10,614 per student. And 34% of their students qualify for subsidized lunch vs. Brighton’s 9%.

Makes you wonder…..

You can read the full Newsweek article at: www.newsweek.com/id/39380/