By Anastasha Echavarri
News Editor

Last year, Boston Magazine ranked Westford Academy as #27 out of the top 50 public high schools in Eastern Massachusetts. In total, there are over 370 public high schools in the area. This year, WA has been ranked as #22. Other schools in the area were also ranked highly. Concord-Carlisle was #4, Littleton was #31, Acton-Boxborough was #9, and Lexington was #2.

There are several important considerations to take into account that go into the process of deciding the rank of a school. Factors included are: MCAS, SAT, and AP test scores, the amount of co-curricular and athletic activities, and per pupil expenditure.

“Westford pays very little per student compared to other school districts. On that list, Westford was #3 on lowest cost per student,” said editor of the Westford Patch Andrew Sylvia.

Principal Jim Antonelli is proud of the school’s rank and believes the reason why WA is #22 is because of the amount of money spent per student.

So although CC has a higher rank than WA, CC spends $18,000 a year per pupil while WA only spends $11,000 per pupil.

“People in Westford get a real bang for their buck!” said Antonelli.

In short, there is a lot to be said for the amount of money invested into schools and how far the money carries the students. Most schools spend around $10,000 per student and do just as well as schools that pay almost double that amount.

When it comes down to it, the students’ ability to perform well in standardized tests is what really matters—not the amount of money spent. With MCAS, SAT, and AP scores up from last year, there is no doubt as to why the school rank jumped from #27 to #22.

“I think it is a great number based on what I indicated above. To be in the top 25 with over 370 high school in Massachusetts is outstanding,” said Antonelli.