Bridge Magazine Report Shows Farmington Public Schools in State's Top 40 Percent

A new report issued by Bridge Magazine this week shows 52 Michigan public school districts and charter schools were named Academic State Champions for the 2011-12 school year.

Placed at 220th on the top-to-bottom list, Farmington Public Schools ranked among the top 40 percent. At the top of the overall list is Star International Academy in Dearborn Heights, with a VAM score of 120. The top-ranked traditional school district is Godwin Heights in Grand Rapids with a score of 116.

Districts were ranked based on schools' test scores adjusted for family income, showing where students are not only achieving but overachieving.

According to the analysis, a Value-Added Matrix (VAM) score of 100 indicates students are achieving at expected levels for their income level. The higher a school's score, the better their students are performing on standardized tests.

An article published at bridgemi.com, explains that Bridge Magazine and Lansing-based Public Sector Consultants came up with the system by measuring "a school’s test scores adjusted for student family income, which is often a predictor of academic achievement." 

Here are Farmington's scores:

To view a complete searchable database of schools, visit the Bridge Magazine website. Read more about how the list was compiled in Which Mich. Schools Add Most Value for Students?.