With a higher percentage of Westlake High School seniors being admitted to The University of Texas and Texas A&M University for the 2012–13 school year, Eanes ISD officials say the decision to eliminate class ranking two years ago has seemingly paid off.
The Eanes ISD board voted in 2010 to eliminate class ranks for students outside of the top 10 percent, which state law requires districts to track. Eliminating class rank for students in the bottom 90 percent means colleges are more likely to look at a student's transcript and overall achievement instead of where they ranked in an academically competitive school, WHS Guidance Director Jeff Pilchiek said.
"It is driving [college admissions offices] onto the transcript," he said.
Eanes ISD eliminated class rank for the bottom 90 percent after doing a comprehensive study on the issue, said Bill Bechtol, Eanes ISD assistant superintendent for curriculum. A number of students were being denied admission to colleges despite having high grade point averages and doing well on the SAT and ACT, he said.












