Three schools top statewide list

Two high schools in the northwest Bronx topped U.S. News & World Report’s 2017 list of the state’s best high schools, receiving a “gold” rating. Another received bronze.

The High School of American Studies at Lehman College captured the top spot for the fourth straight year. In addition to its focus on American history, the school offers advanced placement courses in English, calculus and chemistry. Also, juniors and seniors have the opportunity to take classes at Lehman College.

The school has a graduation rate of 99 percent and a college readiness score out of 100. Nationally, American Studies finished at No. 17.

Located a short distance away is The Bronx High School of Science, placing ninth in the state. Students there have the opportunity to take advanced placement courses and exams.

Bronx Science has a graduation rate of 99 percent and college readiness score of 93.5. Nationally, the high school is ranked 46th.

International Leadership Charter School in Kingsbridge made the list in its “bronze” category, as did IN-Tech Academy.

U.S. News reviewed 28,496 public high school across the United States and 391 from the Empire State, according to its website. It used data from the U.S. Department of Education for the 2014-15 school year. Advanced placement test information came from the College Board.

Schools were awarded gold, silver and bronze ratings based on state assessment exam performance, and how well they prepared students for college.

The Mount announces grad speakers
Maria Vullo, a 1984 graduate of The College of Mount Saint Vincent — and the current superintendent of the state’s financial services department — will receive an honorary doctorate of law from the school and give the commencement address to the Class of 2017 on May 20.

Also getting an honorary degree from the Mount is Laura Anglin, former president of the Commission on Independent Colleges & Universities.
Vullo was the first woman to serve as department superintendent, appointed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and is responsible for protecting consumers from fraud.

Anglin currently works as the chief administrative officer of First Deputy Mayor Tony Shorris, where she supports city agencies, like the environmental protection and transportation departments, according to the school.

More than 400 students will receive undergraduate and graduate degrees during the school’s 105th commencement ceremony next month.

Mount nonprofit raises $12,000
The A Moment of Magic Foundation, a nonprofit founded by College of Mount Saint Vincent seniors Kylee McGrane and Margaret McAndrew, raised more than $12,000 at its first fundraising event, the “Find Your Wings” brunch.
Moment of Magic volunteers dressed up as characters from popular children’s films like Snow White and Tinker Bell, visiting children in hospitals, schools and social service agencies free of charge.

McGrane and McAndrew wanted to create an organization to help children in a unique way. McGrane dressed as Elsa from “Frozen” while McAndrew dressed as Elsa’s sister Anna. The group has 40 volunteers, who play the roles of 25 characters.

“You kind of walk in the room and it’s kind of like a collective gasp,” McGrane told The Press in January.

For more information, visit AMomentOfMagic.org.

Lehman opens food bank for students
Lehman College students now have access to a food bank, a project involving the school, the Food Bank of New York City, and the City University of New York.
The pantry is open three days a week, and is located in the Student Life Building.