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GreatSchools Rating

Staples High School

Public | 9-12 | 1832 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 1 rating
2011:
No new ratings
2010:
Based on 3 ratings

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11 reviews of this school


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Posted October 15, 2012

Staples High School when it comes to the facts is easily one of the top public schools in the Nation and even competes with highly regarded private schools. However when it comes to the true nature of the school, I find it not to be as perfect as its status. This school is the equivalent of Harvard in education and Alabama in football compared to other schools.: but its a public school. Believe it or not, that actually is one of Staples greatest faults. This school is built for students of the absolute utmost excelance on the sports field and in the classroom. If you are anything average, you don't really realize how special this school is because you dont get to play on the brand new turf field or take part in the incedible honors program. Here if you are a genius, an athlete or both you have everything but if not, Staples ranking in the nation isn't so easy to comprehend. I'm a 3.6 student who plays for a poorly respected Ice Hockey Team, but I love it. I just thought I'd offer the other side to a school which is almost always seen as being the best.
—Submitted by a student


Posted December 23, 2010

Excellent school system, teachers, administrators, facilities, teamwork. Demanding academically, rich music and art program, excellent sports teams for both boys and girls.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 24, 2010

The School design assists students with A select atmosphere to study, the students have room to grow and have advantages of the most proper equipment in all areas of study and fitness.


Posted May 25, 2010

Great school if your kid is gifted. Otherwise, only so-so. School is big, so they can afford to lose a bunch of kids and still have good overall ratings. The principal said 90% of the kids at the school are successful (meaning they graduate). That leaves out 150 of the current students. That's a lot for an area as successful as Westport
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 19, 2009

I think the school has gotten a little too big. My third child is a freshmen and my older two graduated in 2008 and 2009. Lately, it is harder to see teachers for extra help. Things can feel a little impersonal. Popular classes fill up quickly. It is very competitive because there are so many bright, athletic and talented students. There is a sense of entitlement and elitism among some of the students and parents. On the other hand, there are many great teachers and the kids come out of the high school well prepared for college.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 4, 2009

This school is incredible. Students are all friendly and pretty easy to approach. Variety of classes and quality of teachers and faculty are on par with most colleges. Being that it's located in one of the most successful zip codes in the U.S., there's a lot of pressure to try and do well, but what most students don't realize until after they've graduated is how well Staples rates against other high schools in the country; colleges know that Staples is much more challenging than the average high school, and that automatically gives everyone an edge over people from other schools. The one small complaint I could even think someone could make about it is that it's a bit large for a high school, but classes are capped at around 25, and you get to know your teachers really well. With a public school this good, private school isn't even worth considering.
—Submitted by a student


Posted December 16, 2008

this school is... special. no, but seriously, there's basically something for everybody. amazing sports, great theater program, and a club exists for anything you could possibly want to do (fly fishing anyone?) most teachers are good, i like all of mine. its kind of a lot of pressure, going to one of the best schools in the country and people expect a lot of you, especially in terms of college and stuff, but other than that staples = great!
—Submitted by a student


Posted September 14, 2008

I've just started school here in staples, and it's been such an awesome experience. Teachers know what they're doing, and make class fun. They also make school..and learning enjoyable. Lots and lots Extracurricular Activities, lots of Parent Involvement and much better than other private schools. And also students are very nice and respect each other. ONE AWESOME SCHOOL. trust me.
—Submitted by a student


Posted July 1, 2008

I am consistently impressed with the caliber of classes at Staples and the options given to the students. This town does care about education and is willing to spend the money to obtain a top notch school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 30, 2008

This is simply one of the best high schools--public or private--in the United States. It's brand-new with state-of-the-art facilities, the academics are top-notch, and there are an absurd number of extracurricular opportunities.
—Submitted by a student


Posted April 5, 2006

Completing huge expansion and renovation of the school. One of top 3 public HS's in the US for college placement - rivals most top private schools. Won football state championship 3 of last 4 years, making the Wreckers games a huge draw. Teachers are almost always top rate. Had some turnover at principal, but Dodig is doing a great job and seems stable in the job.
—Submitted by a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.

Grade level

Math

The state average for Math was 78% in 2009.

463 students were tested at this school in 2009.

2009

 
 
98%

2008

 
 
96%

2007

 
 
97%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 82% in 2009.

464 students were tested at this school in 2009.

2009

 
 
98%

2008

 
 
99%

2007

 
 
98%
Science

The state average for Science was 78% in 2009.

468 students were tested at this school in 2009.

2009

 
 
98%

2008

 
 
98%

2007

 
 
97%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 87% in 2009.

468 students were tested at this school in 2009.

2009

 
 
99%

2008

 
 
99%

2007

 
 
98%
Scale: % level 3, 4, or 5

About the tests


In 2008-2009 Connecticut used the Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT) to test students' skills in reading, writing, science and math in grade 10. The CAPT is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Connecticut.

See Connecticut's state standards

Source: Connecticut Department of Education

Math

All Students98%
Female98%
Male98%
Blackn/a
Asian Americann/a
Hispanicn/a
White98%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantaged98%
Students with disabilities88%
Students without disabilities99%
English language learnersn/a
Proficient in English98%

Reading

All Students98%
Female99%
Male97%
Blackn/a
Asian Americann/a
Hispanicn/a
White98%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantaged98%
Students with disabilities88%
Students without disabilities99%
English language learnersn/a
Proficient in English98%

Science

All Students98%
Female98%
Male98%
Blackn/a
Asian Americann/a
Hispanicn/a
White99%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantaged98%
Students with disabilities84%
Students without disabilities99%
English language learnersn/a
Proficient in English99%

Writing

All Students99%
Female99%
Male99%
Blackn/a
Asian Americann/a
Hispanicn/a
White99%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantaged99%
Students with disabilities92%
Students without disabilities99%
English language learnersn/a
Proficient in English99%
Scale: % level 3, 4, or 5

About the tests


In 2008-2009 Connecticut used the Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT) to test students' skills in reading, writing, science and math in grade 10. The CAPT is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Connecticut.

The different student groups are identified by the Connecticut Department of Education. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Connecticut's state standards

Source: Connecticut Department of Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 93% 64%
Asian/Pacific Islander 4% 4%
Black 2% 14%
Hispanic 2% 17%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 0%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 2%N/A30%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 12N/A12
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Teacher resources

Foreign languages spoken by school staff French
German
Italian
Chinese (Mandarin)
Russian
Spanish
Read more about programs at this school
Source: Manually entered by a school official.

Awards

Academic awards received in the past 3 years
  • Connecticut High School of the Year, by Ct. Magazine (2008)

Special education / special needs

Specialized programs for specific types of special education students
  • Significant developmental delay

Arts & music

Visual arts
  • Ceramics
  • Painting
  • Photography
Music
  • Band
  • Choir / Chorus
  • Orchestra
Performing and written arts
  • Drama
Media arts
  • Video / Film production

Language learning

Foreign languages taught
  • Chinese (Mandarin)
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Latin
  • Spanish
Foreign languages spoken by staff
  • Chinese (Mandarin)
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Russian
  • Spanish

Gifted & talented

Instructional and/or curriculum models used
  • Accelerated credit learning
  • Honors track
School leaders can update this information here.

School basics

School start time
  • 7:30am
School end time
  • 2:15pm
School Leader's name
  • John M. Dodig

Programs

Instructional and/or curriculum models used

Don't understand these terms?
  • Accelerated credit learning
  • Honors track
Specialized programs for specific types of special education students
  • Significant developmental delay
Foreign languages taught
  • Chinese (Mandarin)
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Latin
  • Spanish

Resources

Foreign languages spoken by staff
  • Chinese (Mandarin)
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Russian
  • Spanish
School leaders can update this information here.

Sports

Boys sports
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cross country
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Lacrosse
  • Soccer
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Track
  • Volleyball
  • Water polo
  • Wrestling
Girls sports
  • Basketball
  • Cheerleading
  • Cross country
  • Field hockey
  • Golf
  • Gymnastics
  • Lacrosse
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Track
  • Volleyball
  • Water polo

Arts & music

Visual arts
  • Ceramics
  • Painting
  • Photography
Music
  • Band
  • Choir / Chorus
  • Orchestra
Performing arts
  • Drama
Media arts
  • Video / Film production
School leaders can update this information here.

School culture

Dress Code
  • Dress code
Parent involvement
  • Very active pta
More from this school
  • Our one and only school goal for the past four years has been &#34critical thinking&#34. We are determined that critical thinking is taught in every class of every course.
School leaders can update this information here.

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70 North Ave
Westport, CT 06880
Website: Click here
Phone: (203) 341-1210

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