Why Was Batavia High School Left Off Newsweek's List of Best in the U.S.?

The magazine's 2013 report out this week recognizes more than 80 Illinois schools and more than 2,000 across the country.

Northside College Preparatory High School is No. 1 in Illinois and No. 25 in the nation. Geneva High School at No. 926 among high schools in the country. St. Charles North is good old No. 841, but St. Charles East is nowhere to be seen. Nor is Batavia High School. That's because Newsweek magazine's rankings of the best high schools in America is one of those situations in which, like the the lottery, "to win it, you've got to be in it." For its rankings, Newsweek sent out a survey to more than 5,000 high schools in the U.S., with about 2,500 schools responding in 2013. You can see the details about the rankings, and every other ranked high school by clicking on the markers in the interactive map above. The survey scores were then weighted …

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U.S. News Recognizes BHS' Above-Average Test Scores With Bronze Medal

Batavia High School was recognized with a bronze medal, which is given to high-performing schools based on state exam performance, according to the annual list published by U.S. News and World Report.

Batavia High School was recognized for above-average state test performance in annual rankings published Tuesday by U.S. News and World Report. In the report, Batavia High School, 1201 Main St., was recognized with a bronze medal, which is given to high-performing schools based on state exam performance. The report's data on Batavia shows that while BHS class sizes are slightly above state averages and college readiness is near average, students' scores on state math and reading exams were both above average. Nearby St. Charles North High School, 255 Red Gate Road, was ranked 21st out of 667 public high schools in Illinois, and St. Charles East High School, 1020 Dunham Road, was ranked 39th by U.S. News and World Report. Geneva School …

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3 Students at Batavia High School Cited for Drug Paraphernalia

The following information was supplied by the Batavia Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.

Three Batavia High School students were cited for possession of drug paraphernalia March 22, Batavia police reports indicate. Batavia school officials learned about the drug paraphernalia and contacted Batavia High School police liaison officer Chris Potthoff, who cited the students at around 12:42 p.m. at the school, 1201 Main St. Because the students are juveniles and the incident was a first offense, the students are being cited under city ordinance rather than prosecuted in courts, Batavia Detective Sgt. Shawn Mazza said.  "We have an option of either referring the case to court or doing a formal station adjustment, and that's what we did in this case," Mazza said. "Rather than putting it into the court system, we come up with some …

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Female Student Arrested at Batavia High School for Alcohol Consumption

The following information was supplied by the Batavia Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.

A female student at Batavia High School, 1201 Main St., admitted to drinking alcohol on the property March 8, Batavia Police Department reports said. A Breathalyzer test was positive, and police found the container of the alcohol, reports said. The student was issued a notice to appear for unlawful possession of alcohol by a minor and was released to her mother. She has a court date of April 16.   Patch reports on law enforcement activity in Batavia, using information provided by official agencies. Persons charged with a crime, or issued a citation for violation of a local ordinance, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If you or a family member are charged with a crime or cited for a violation, and the charge or …

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A Conversation on Turf, Taxes and the $13 Million Batavia High School Plan

Batavia residents have some strong opinions about the prospect of artificial turf at Batavia High School—and about the $13 million price tag.

Batavians have some strong opinions about a committee proposal to spend $13 million for artificial turf and other improvements at Batavia High School. A sampling of Batavia Facebook Page conversation indicates concerns over safety and cost. What do you think? Add your comments here!

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Batavia Artificial Turf and Field Improvements Might Cost $13 Million

A Batavia committee proposes a $13 million plan that could give District 101 an artificial turf field and keep practices on the campus, area media report.

Batavia School District 101 might have to spend as much as $13 million to build an artificial turf field and keep sports and extracurricular practices on the school campus, the Daily Herald reports. The district had talked about taking land from Mooseheart and using elementary schools for practice fields, but Batavia Buildings and Grounds Director Pat Browne told the Batavia School Board at last week's meeting that a committee of school officials, parents and boosters would prefer to keep practice on campus. The plan calls for eliminating the arboretum on the southwest corner of the school campus, the Daily Herald said. A Chicago Tribune article said no funding has been secured for the project, although the committee did present an …

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New Batavia High School Principal Announced

The district goes with an internal candidate again. They also hired a new human resources director. Here's more info, including salary figures.

The new Batavia High School principal will be a familiar face to many. That's because the district picked JoAnne Smith, the school's current assistant principal for curriculum and instruction, to be that school's next leader. The Batavia School Board at its Tuesday night meeting approved the appointment of Smith and a new assistant superintendent of human resources. He is Steve Pearce, a principal from Schaumburg School District 54. The positions are effective July 1, 2013. Smith has 17 years of service in Batavia Public Schools, most recently as a Batavia High School assistant principal. Smith will replace current principal, Dr. Lisa Hichens, who will take the helm as the district’s next superintendent when Dr. Jack Barshinger retires at …

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2nd UPDATE: All Batavia Public Schools Feb. 26 K-12 Events Canceled

Activities and classes at Marmion, Holy Cross and Waubonsee were also canceled. Boys basketball regional games will be played today Wednesday, Feb. 27.

Editor's note: This story was updated to include the Batavia High School and parochial cancellations and rescheduled events. Today's winter storm has officially disrupted all Batavia Public School and parochial activities. Here is the latest list of cancellations: See our rolling list of winter storm updates and let us know of any road incidents near you. Updates and your storm photos can also be posted on the Batavia Patch Facebook page.

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BHS Varsity Dance Team Reaches Semi-Finals at UDA Nationals

This is the first time Batavia High School has advanced in Pom at Nationals. Batavia also host its regional dance competition this Sunday.

Batavia's Jim & Sylvia Roberts Honored at Night of Hoops

The longtime Bulldogs basketball coach returned to the event he launched 20 years ago. Here's a recap.

Was the ceremony to honor Jim and Sylvia Roberts on Saturday everything it was supposed to be? No. It actually turned out to be extra special, touching and it couldn't have been better. Retired Batavia basketball coach Jim Roberts and his wife Sylvia were honored in a special ceremony at the 2013 Night of Hoops. During the ceremony the Batavia High School Basketball Program and Administration formally renamed the event “The Jim and Sylvia Roberts Night of Hoops.” A plaque was presented to Coach Roberts commemorating the event along with a duplicate plaque hung outside the gym as a permanent reminder of what Coach Roberts means to Batavia High School. About Jim Roberts Jim Roberts was head coach of the Batavia Boys Basketball Program for 27…

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