Hamilton High School is regularly recognized for high-achieving results. It is a great place for students because the atmosphere is friendly and respectful. The interests of students are at the forefront of teachers and school personnel. Hamilton operates on a block schedule. This permits teachers to utilize a variety of effective instructional strategies, maximizing student achievement. The impressive facilities at Hamilton, including the Hamilton Fine Arts Center and the Hamilton Athletic Center, provide a physical environment that supports student success.
School news
Hamilton named to America’s best high school list
For the sixth consecutive year, Hamilton High School was named to U.S. News & World Report “America’s Best High Schools” list. The ranking highlights the best public high schools in the nation after reviewing data from more than 18,000 high schools to identify how well public schools serve all of their students in preparing them in basic skills and readiness for college-level work. Schools were rated on reading and math proficiency and performance (40%), college readiness (30%), college curriculum breadth (10%), underserved student performance (10%) and graduation rate (10%).
Hamilton is ranked 16th among 453 Wisconsin public high schools and 763rd among more than 18,000 U.S. public high schools – placing it in the top 5 percent of high schools in the state and country. Its state rank is the highest in the school’s history.
Hamilton Principal Becky Newcomer said Hamilton’s consistent improved ranking on the prestigious list is not only an achievement of high school students and educators, but of the entire district and community.
“We are fortunate to educate children in a community that has supportive families and a tradition of excellence from 4K through 12th grade,” Newcomer said. “All of those parents and educators have contributed to the accolades the high school receives.“
“We have students who are driven and motivated by achieving academic success, so this recognition shines a spotlight not only on the educators, but on many years of our students’ hard work,” Newcomer said.
Hamilton ACT test scores rise
Hamilton High School’s Class of 2019 had a composite score well above the state average on the ACT college admissions exam, according to a report released Oct. 16. Hamilton’s composite score was 23.2 compared to the state average of 20.3.
Hamilton posted the highest composite score since 2016 when Wisconsin began requiring all high school juniors to take the ACT. Composite scores for the previous three years were: class of 2018 – 22.7, class of 2017 – 23.0; and class of 2016 – 22.3.
A total of 387 students from the class of 2019 took the exam. Prior to the requirement that all juniors take the ACT, the class of 2015 — with only 267 students taking the exam – posted the school’s highest composite score of 24.5.
The ACT consists of curriculum-based tests in English, mathematics, reading and science and is designed to measure skills needed for success in first-year college coursework. Some 41% of Hamilton students met the benchmarks in all four areas compared to the state average of 24%.
Hamilton named to ninth AP Honor Roll
Hamilton School District is one of just 373 districts across the U.S. and Canada named to the ninth annual Advanced Placement (AP) District Honor Roll by the College Board. Districts on the list are honored for expanding access to AP course work while maintaining or increasing the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher on AP Exams.
Inclusion in the AP Honor Roll is based on a review of three years of AP data from 2016 to 2018. Through 38 college-level courses, each culminating in a rigorous exam, AP provides academically prepared students with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement or both at more than 4,000 four-year colleges and universities.