Butler High School 'Lags' in Academic Achievement, Report Says

Butler High School's level of academic performance in the 2011-12 school year was lagging when compared with other high schools in the state and in comparison to schools in its peer group according to new data released by the New Jersey Department of Education. 

The school did, however, meet 100 percent of its targets for academic achievement and for graduation and post-secondary readiness.

The data, which includes a new peer-to-peer comparison format, was released by the state on Wednesday. The new NJ School Performance Reports not only compare districts and schools to others in the state, but also to "peer" districts with students of similar demographic characteristics, such as the percentage of students who are in special education programs, limited English proficiency programs or who qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Other schools in Butler's peer group include Mount Olive High School, Lakeland Regional High School, Montclair High School and Newton High School.

"The new School Performance Reports are designed to enhance both educator and stakeholder engagement in discussions about how well a school is preparing their students for college and careers," the state said in an introduction of the data.

The results show BHS as having an "about average" level of college and career readiness, with the school outperforming about 40 percent of schools in the state and 40 percent of schools in BHS' peer group in the category. In the area of academic achievement, the school is outperforming 18 percent of schools in the its peer group.

BHS did not meet all of its targets in relation to the percentage of students participating in the SAT and PSAT exams, with only 79 percent of students taking the SAT in 2011-12 and 32 percent participating in the PSAT. The school had a higher participation in the PSAT than only 13 percent of its peer group.

But the school did meet its target for percentage of students who took the AP exam scoring a 3 or greater and for the percentage of students who scored a 1,550 or above on the SAT (54 percent). The average composite SAT score at BHS was 1,509 whereas the peer average was 1,525.

The high school's overall graduation rate, according to the data, is 92.7 percent. BHS' dropout rate is 1.4 percent.

"Our students are the highlight of our institution. Student achievement and distinction is not uncommon to our school," Principal Martin Wall said in a narrative included in the school report. "Each year our students boast distinction and are honored for their inclusion in the National Merit Scholarship Program, AP Scholar, AP Scholar with Honor, and AP Scholar with Distinction."