The Ratings Hustle
by Vince Durnan
The phone started lighting up recently with word of another list of “the nation’s top schools.” Here’s why in response we just smile, nod, and keep moving:
The phone started lighting up recently with word of another list of “the nation’s top schools.” Here’s why in response we just smile, nod, and keep moving:
This time the ranking appeared on niche.com, a recently rebranded for-profit data firm started as College Prowler in 2002 by Carnegie Mellon students. These young entrepreneurs compile lists of neighborhoods, schools, and colleges, responding to our pop culture fixation with lists.
Their site offers lists of their lists, piles of purportedly “big data,” and plenty of advertising. They’ve created more heat than light, even prompting the National Association of Independent Schools’ president to weigh in publicly on the anxieties the list has generated for members.
Their site offers lists of their lists, piles of purportedly “big data,” and plenty of advertising. They’ve created more heat than light, even prompting the National Association of Independent Schools’ president to weigh in publicly on the anxieties the list has generated for members.
The good news is that USN, as I heard from many interested constituents, ranked first among private schools in Nashville and in Tennessee and #81 nationally. The not-so-good news comes from the realm of methodology, the bane of any effort to reduce complex variables to a single coefficient per school. Niche says that their empiricists combined grades for academics, student culture and diversity, and parent/student surveys. Exactly how they did that defies easy explanation or close scrutiny, starting with the fact that the surveys mentioned were not in fact available for many of the schools considered, USN included. How we then ended up #1 remains a gift-horse-type mystery to me. And why were we only 81st nationally?
Just last year a different organization, thebestschools.org, placed us #50 in their list of private day schools nationwide, and their methodology was just as opaque. Certainly we appreciated the mention, but I wondered about all the for-profit university underwriting littering their site. And in 2007 no less a source than The Wall Street Journal included USN in their top 50 list, albeit at the end, by calculating the proportion of graduating seniors enrolled in an arbitrarily determined group of eight colleges. That methodology at least gets high marks for transparency. But really? They never published a successor to that list.
Happily, the godfather of all list makers, US News, has yet to extend its ranking empire to independent schools. Since shortly after the “Best Colleges” edition began in 1983, we’ve collectively resisted the invitation to provide data to the magazine (now mostly a lucrative online presence) and the inevitable gamesmanship that would accompany pressure to perform well according to the ranking’s algorithm. The experience of higher ed in that regard stands as a cautionary tale.
In concept, a comprehensive ranking system would serve useful purposes, but challenges abound in the absence of national curricular coordination. So we are left with these recurrent bootleg efforts to drive eyeballs to screens by posting idiosyncratic lists for consumption by a “top ten” hungry culture.
Not to be cynical (or not too cynical at least), but the best part of USN's landing atop these lists is that it quiets other more potentially self-congratulatory schools from trumpeting their results to an unsuspecting public. But past that, we’ll save our breath. And just for the record, my writing this piece is in large measure meant to provide context that would explain why we don't and won't call further attention to this otherwise juicy topic.
Not to be cynical (or not too cynical at least), but the best part of USN's landing atop these lists is that it quiets other more potentially self-congratulatory schools from trumpeting their results to an unsuspecting public. But past that, we’ll save our breath. And just for the record, my writing this piece is in large measure meant to provide context that would explain why we don't and won't call further attention to this otherwise juicy topic.
We’ll happily salute more concrete accomplishments: arts medal winners, debate tourney victors, soccer playoff victories, National Merit Semifinalist totals, and that list goes on. And we appreciate the enthusiasm that accompanies recognition on all fronts, as long as we stay focused on the work at hand.
Glad to reside on your own list,
Vince
Vince
More USN News
List of 3 news stories.
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Spring sports season ends with podium finishes, trophies
The girls lacrosse team ended its season in overtime to become state runner-up. Tennis players Carter Kojetin '29 finished as a state quarterfinalist, Sophie Oliver '26 and Mary Kate Adler '28 finished as state semifinalists, and Veer Kodali '29 and Max Parker '29 finished as state champions. Meanwhile, eight runners competed at the state track and field meet in Knoxville, where Griffin Davidson '27, Caleb Freifeld '28, Drew Zwerner '28, and Jack Fruin '27, sprinted to first in the 4x800m relay and Jack also placed first in the 800m dash.Read More -
USN creates the Juliet Douglas Endowed Fund for Student Success
For the entire USN community: an invitation to give in gratitude, in celebration, and in honor of the woman who has given so much to our school. Make a gift at usn.org/giving to support students with needs beyond tuition and honor Interim Director Juliet Douglas.Read More -
Middle School Quiz Bowl competes at national championship
The Middle School Quiz Bowl finished off another successful season with a trip to the Middle School National Championship Tournament in Chicago. The team fought hard and ended the season as a top-100 program in the country, finishing 75th overall. Congratulations to the team on a great performance and to Lucas Lupu ’31, named an All Star for being the fifth-highest scorer nationwide.Read More
Contact
Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.