Somerset Berkely Regional High School drops in ranking; local attorney calling for action

A new report ranking high schools across the state and country released their latest findings and the only high school in Somerset has dropped in ranking, causing one local attorney to speak up.

Out of the 351 high schools ranked by U.S. News & World Report in Massachusetts in 2024, Fall River cracked the top 200 once, an improvement from last year. However, every other Fall River area school saw a decline in ranking, including Somerset Berkely Regional.

Somerset Berkley Regional High School is ranked 212th within Massachusetts, a drop from #134 in 2023. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Somerset Berkley Regional High School is 40%.

• Passed at Least One AP® Exam 31%
• Mathematics Proficiency 58%
• Reading Proficiency 56%
• Science Proficiency 51%
• Graduation Rate 94%
• Student Teacher Ratio 13 to 1

Somerset Attorney Joseph Fingliss Jr. first raised concerns over the school district and it’s performance back in 2021 when School Digger released it’s ranking for that year, placing Somerset at 135 out of 351 high schools in the state. At that time, Fingliss stated that at a minimum, Somerset should be ranking in the top 50 schools in the state.

“We need to do better.” Fingliss stated in an interview with The Somerset Sentinel.

Fingliss, who’s father was a teacher at the high school in Somerset for 40 years, has once again expressed concerns over the newest ranking of the town high school.

In an email to long-time Somerset Public School Committee member Victor Machado, Fingliss did not mince words:

“Good Afternoon Victor:

If you think I was concerned about this in 2021, how do you think I feel now? I personally met with Jeff Schonover, one-on-one in his office, regarding my concerns….. and many other concerns regarding the performance of the Somerset School System. Jeff said he was going to do something about the poor performance of our school department and the perception of Somerset School statewide. Obviously…. nothing has changed. In fact three years later, we are even WORSE NOW THAN EVER. THE LOWEST RANKING IN THE HISTORY OF SOMERSET PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THIS MUST BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY.

Best,

Joe”

Somerset merged with Berkley after voters in both communities voted for the regionalization back in 2010 and it’s own school committee, but Machado has often served as a representative of the K-8 school committee on the regional committee. Jeffrey Schoonover has been the superintendent for Somerset since 2014.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Somerset Berkley Regional High School will take place on Tuesday, May 21st at 6 PM in the library of the high school.