In a fitting win on National STEM Day, Bronx Science was named the fourth best STEM high school in the nation. The ranking, which was published in Newsweek magazine for the first time this year, included 5,000 public and private high schools across America. Though Bronx Science has never been a stranger to national recognition, it was an especially proud moment for the students, faculty, and administration.

Newsweek released the ranking on November 8th, 2019, in a partnership with STEM.org, an education research organization known for its research and innovation in STEM pedagogy. Their rankings of the schools were completed in a thorough survey still being evaluated for publication, though the website provides a brief one-page abstract of their methodology. Each school was evaluated in an oral interview under the microscope of eight standards, including “STEM Subjects,” “21st Century Skills,” “Content,” and “Diversity.”

While individual scores for each section were not released, according to the Newsweek publication, Bronx Science earned a 98.80 composite score out of 100. The school placed among similarly renowned schools, falling behind the School of Science and Engineering and the School for the Talented and Gifted, both located in Dallas, and the Stanford Online High School in Redwood City. Both Dallas schools are, like Bronx Science, public schools with academic screening mechanisms for admissions; the Redwood school, meanwhile, is private. 

When asked why he believed Bronx Science placed so high in the ranking, Mr. Arora, the Assistant Principal of the Math Department, cited the students above all else: “We are blessed with a student body that is talented and driven. They have aspirations to excel in their fields of endeavor. When this pool of talented students is led by a great teaching staff, the results are very gratifying,” he said. In addition to an exceptional student body, Mr. Arora attributed the win to dedicated teachers, a strong research program, and rich course offerings.

The ranking takes on added significance given Bronx Science’s tie with Hackensack High School in New Jersey for the highest number of Regeneron Talent Search Scholars: each school is proud to have eleven winners. Coincidentally, Hackensack High School placed 14th in the Newsweek ranking, scoring only a fraction of a point lower than Bronx Science.

Given the power of rankings in modern admissions culture, the publication may have long-standing benefits for Bronx Science. According to Atlantic Magazine, colleges featured in positive rankings experienced significant increases in the number of applications they received. If the same is true of high schools, Bronx Science could see an increase in the number of students ranking it as their first choice on the SHSAT. This could be especially significant given that Stuyvesant High School, Bronx Science’s long-standing rival, ranked 62nd in the Newsweek ranking.

For most, though, the ranking is simply a source of pride. Said Emma Tiersten-Nyman ’20, “I’m proud of our ranking! I guess we really are worth the trip.”

For most, though, the ranking is simply a source of pride.