Niche rankings data

[cyouh95]

The 2020 Niche data from here are added to the data folder:

• niche_private.json: Full raw data from the Niche API
• niche_private.csv: Contains most fields taken from the json
• Similar files for the public HS, which are categorized as traditional, charter, and/or magnet

Number of HS in the data files:

• 8302 Privates (8010 has ncessch ID, 5181 has ceeb ID)
• 24551 Publics (24518 has ncessch ID, 19575 has ceeb ID)
  • 20764 Traditional
  • 2970 Charter
  • 869 Magnet
    • Note: 52 HS are categorized as both Charter and Magnet so these 3 subcategories sum up to 24551 + 52 = 24603

Available fields in the data include:

• ncessch: 8-digit for private HS and 12-digit for public HS (if available)
• overall_niche_grade: 4.33, 4, 3.66, 3.33, 3, 2.66, 2.33, 2, 1.66, or blank/unranked
• character: further categorizations (e.g., "Private, Boarding", "Private, Catholic, All-Boys", "Private, Episcopal")
• city, state_code, latitude, longitude, etc.

As for past years' rankings, this site only has 2019 (I originally thought it had 2016 as well but actually the 2016 ranking seems to be for public HS) The archives here show private HS rankings back from 2017, but it's only the first page of the listings.

/cc @ozanj @irmacastaneda0822

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One visited private HS from our sample appears to enroll K-12 according to NCES data, but the Niche page listed it as K-8, so this wasn't pulled... Now, Niche has updated to 2021 rankings. The data for 2021 private school rankings for both Middle and High grade level are saved as:

• niche_private_middlehigh_2021.json
• niche_private_middlehigh_2021.csv

Number of private schools according to Niche rankings page:

• 17772 when using both High and Middle grade level filter (number in above files)
  • 8350 when using High grade level filter only (compared to 8302 from 2020 above)
  • 15624 when using Middle grade level filter only

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Email from Marie about Niche data/private HS rankings:

I’ve had great fun chewing on this question with friends in college counseling and private school administration about your questions. They agree that NICHE is probably the best single source for data, and is flawed by having so much based on parent/student input. But no single, reputable ranking system exists for private schools.

Here are some are ways to suss out selectivity/reputation of private schools (and apologies for the processing out loud that follows):

First, private schools are best considered in regional/city groups, and with boarding schools in a separate category. Selectivity – but certainly not quality – is way more intense in coastal cities than other regions of the US and in wealthier cities than in less rich regions. The least selective private schools in LA will always be harder to get into than the most selective private school in Indianapolis.

Often regional magazines, like NY Magazine or LA Mag, will have a back-to-school issue that “ranks” the region’s schools. While the rankings aren’t helpful, the data compiled might tell you something and the text will signal the cultural capital and reputation of the schools. You can also read something into the ads in these mags – the most prestigious/most selective don’t buy ads, while other tuition-dependent schools will buy big ads.

Another inelegant way gauge selectivity in broad swaths is to divide them into three piles:

• schools that are members of National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
• faith-based schools
• non-charter/non-public/non-NAIS member private schools

All will have a range of selectivity within each group. NAIS schools will be most selective to selective. Faith-based schools can range from very selective to open enrollment. Private, non-NAIS schools tend to be selective to open-enrollment. BUT! This is another area where regional culture will also make a difference. For example, both St. Louis and New Orleans have long histories of single-sex, Catholic schools that are tied to wealth and prestige. So in those regions, faith-based schools would be most selective to open enrollment. In the south and Midwest, some “Christian Schools” are white flight academies that aren’t tied to a church. These aren’t selective, and yet they don’t take everyone.

Which makes me wonder if founding date is a way to predict reputation/selectivity…

But if you really want to dive into the abyss, check out “mommy boards” for discussions about school selectivity/reputation in any city. It’s gory, but entertaining and certainly informative.