DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Crestwood High School (CHS) recently earned a national ranking by U.S. News and World Report. The school was rated 45th among Michigan high schools.   According to its report, only 206 of 826 public high schools in the State ranked nationally, and CHS is 1,629th.  The report is based on the 2010-2011 school year. 

According to Crestwood School District Superintendent Laurine VanValkenburg, scores and poverty rates among students in the district have gone up each year since that year, so they may receive another high ranking for the next two years. 

The report by U.S. News concludes that students at the school have a reading proficiency of 59 percent and a math proficiency of 49 percent. 

The rankings are determined by the schools’ scores on the Michigan Merit Exam, a State standardized test, and compared to the State average. The number of economically disadvantaged students, who may score lower, is also considered. According to the report 45 percent of CHS students were eligible for the free lunch program in 2010-2011 and eight percent for the reduced lunch rate.  

Other factors also determine the rating. One includes the College Readiness Index, which shows how many students attempted to take an AP exam during, or before their senior years and how well they performed. 

John Tafelski, CHS principal, said that more than 600 students will be taking an AP course next year.