How one school got over the top

Principal Kirsten Larson said Marble Hill HS received more than 100 points due to “a lot of hard work.” But the following factors probably helped, too.

• Students have access to weekend and after school tutoring in a variety of subjects, as well as lunch groups for those just learning English.

• Students are expected to do 30 to 36 projects per year over all disciplines. For example, ninth graders just undertook a group-based project that involved visiting religious sites across the city.

• Each semester culminates in a project that requires students to make a portfolio of their best work and give an hour-long presentation to a staff member.

• Marble Hill HS has sister schools in Senegal and China and participates in regular exchanges.

• Students are encouraged to travel and some spend their summer doing community service projects in places like Mali and Nicaragua.

• By the time they graduate, all students are expected to have 100 community service hours. Those in the National Honor Society have more.

• After doing an interview and writing a statement about where they see themselves in four years, students are considered for acceptance. Ms. Larson said officials accept about one out of every nine applicants.