Results of the Idaho Department of Education's new 5-Star Rating System for public schools were released Friday and the majority of high schools in Southeast Idaho were given at least four stars out of a possible five.

    Aberdeen, Rockland, North Gem, Malad and Shelley high schools were ranked at the top in the state with five stars.

    Receiving four stars in the state's new evaluation system that measures student progress as well as overall standardized test scores were Pocatello, Highland, Century, Blackfoot, American Falls, Preston, Soda Springs and West Side high schools.

    Firth, Bear Lake and Marsh Valley received three stars. Snake River High School received a two-star ranking from the state.

    Further up the Snake River Valley, Idaho Falls and Skyline high schools each received four stars.

    Alternative high schools had lower rankings with New Horizons in Pocatello receiving one star and Independence High in Blackfoot, two.

    “It's kind of an indication of the good things that are happening out here at Aberdeen High,” said principal Travis Pincock about his school's five-star rank. He said although the state's new system of evaluating school progress is not meant to give some district's bragging rights or others a mark of shame, it does reflect some of the efforts his school has made to improve.

    “A five-star ranking is not the be-all, end-all,” Pincock said. Aberdeen joined 77 other schools in the state with five stars.

    He said Aberdeen has made a concentrated effort to increase parent involvement in their children's education and modify teaching resources to best meet the needs of students.

    “We have terrific teachers,” Pincock said.

    One of the programs Aberdeen has implemented to foster greater parental involvement is a homeroom system at the high school where teachers notify parents anytime their child gets a grade below a C or fails to hand in an assignment in any class.

    “We tried to get parents more involved because we need them,” Pincock said. He has been the principal at Aberdeen High for four years and said each year has brought improvements to student achievement.

    “We didn't make AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) for years,” the principal said about the state's standardized testing program that was mandated by No Child Left Behind legislation. “We have made AYP the past two years and our school gets better and better.”

    Pincock said the best aspect of the new Idaho 5-Star Ranking System is it takes into account student academic progress each year even if standardized test score goals are not met.

    “It's another method of evaluating how we can improve,” Pincock said.

    The star ratings also measure the advanced opportunities that students enroll in and complete, including Advanced Placement courses, dual credit courses, and Tech Prep courses, according to the Idaho Department of Education. Out of 38,227 eligible 11th and 12th grade students, 15,260, or 39.9 percent took an advanced opportunity course. This is the first year the state has reported statewide data in this area.

    High schools were measured based on academic growth, the number of students who reach grade level or higher on the ISAT as well as measures of student success in post-secondary education and the workforce, according to the state. Those measures included a school’s graduation rate, the number of students enrolled in and successfully completing advanced courses, and student scores on college entrance exams.

    When the state released its preliminary star rankings earlier this year, schools were given an opportunity to review the state's evaluation and appeal if they thought the figures were inaccurate.

    “We actually appealed,” Pincock said. Aberdeen High was initially given a four-star rating. The principal said the state had not calculated on of the areas involving student opportunities for advanced education correctly. With a five-star rating in hand, Pincock said Aberdeen doesn't intend to coast.

    “It's a new year and we definitely don't want to go down,” he said. “Every class is different with different challenges.”

    To view the state rankings and a breakdown of the criteria for every school in Idaho go to: http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/assessment/FederalReq/.