The Mineola School District may have taken criticism in recent days for its high per pupil spending and test scores, which, on the surface, compare unfavorably with other area schools, but the district may have found something positive to build on. Mineola High School Principal Dr. Michael Nagler reported that Mineola High School should be among those designated as America's best on the Newsweek website.

On June 2, 2003, Newsweek came out with an article featuring the best 100 high schools in America. Included on the list were such Long Island schools as Jericho at number five, Manhasset at number 11 and Great Neck South at number 17.

The formula for the list is the total number of AP (Advanced Placement) exams given in May divided by the total number of seniors in June. For 2004, Mineola High School had 174 AP exams given in May and 171 graduates, making the index a 1.017.

Although Mineola will not make the list of the top 100, all schools that had an index of over one will be listed on the Newsweek website in the future.

While the Mineola's ELA (English Language Arts) scores on the state standardized tests leave some questioning whether taxpayers are getting their money's worth when it comes to education, Mineola has made improvements with regard to its Regents scores.

Dr. Nagler said that the goal at Mineola High School is to get a Regents diploma. Beginning with students who entered the ninth grade in 2001, the requirements for earning a Regents diploma include passing at least five Regents examinations and earning at least 22 units of credit including four units in English, three in math, four in social studies, three in science, one in the arts, one in a language other than English, one-half in health and two in physical education.

Regents scores are reported in the state report card according to cohort, which is the year students enter the ninth grade. One problem with reporting cohort data, according to a report on the examination of cohort Regents data given at last Thursday's board of education meeting, is the data may be five years old.

The Regents scores reported on the March 2005 state report card refer to cohort 2000 meaning those students who entered the ninth grade in 2000 and took the Regents examination at the end of their freshman year.

On the English Regents, 89 percent of Cohort 2000 or students who entered the ninth grade in 2000 scored a 65 percent or better. For Cohort 2001, 88 percent of students scored a 65 or better, although that number can change since the results of the students who do not graduate with the cohort are not included in the data. Graduation for Cohort 2001 is this June.

On the Math A Regents, 80 percent of Cohort 2000 scored a 65 or better. For Cohort 2001, 90 percent scored a 65 or better although that number can change.

On the Science Regents, 90 percent of Cohort 2000 scored a 65 or better. For Cohort 2001, 96 percent scored a 65 or better although that number can change.

On the Global Studies Regents, 92 percent of Cohort 2000 scored a 65 or better. For Cohort 2001, 91 percent scored a 65 or better although that number can change.

On the U.S. History Regents, 88 percent of Cohort 2000 scored an 88 or better. For Cohort 2001, 86 percent scored a 65 or better although that number can change.

Superintendent of Schools for the Mineola School District Dr. Lorenzo Licopoli points out that high school students have been getting Regents scores that are unprecedented in Mineola.

It has helped Mineola students to be accepted into some of the most prestigious colleges in the nation. Dr. Nagler mentioned schools such as the University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University, Cooper Union, New York University, Boston College and Tufts when mentioning some of the schools that have accepted Mineola students.