Education authorities are slamming the Fraser Institute's annual high school report card -- after public schools once again failed to make the grade.

Private schools took the top ten spots on the survey, which ranked 316 B.C. schools by graduation rates, average exam scores, the number of ESL students and even average parental income.

But Vancouver School Board trustee Allen Blakey says the annual report does nothing but discourage students from poorly ranked schools.

"I have no use for these reports," Vancouver School Board trustee Allen Blakey said. "I just find it insulting to hardworking people and hardworking kids."

Related: The Fraser Institute Report Card on Secondary Schools

Four Metro Vancouver private schools tied for the first place ranking this year, including:

  • Southridge School in Surrey
  • St. Georges School in Vancouver
  • York House School in Vancouver
  • West Point Grey Academy in Vancouver

Each of the top four schools displayed an average exam mark of at least 84 per cent and had a 100 per cent rate of graduation.

Board of Education Chair Patti Bacchus also dismissed the results, arguing that screening procedures at private schools - not just faculty or curriculum - account for their high ranking.

"It's like looking at a hospital that only picks healthy patients," Bacchus said. "I wouldn't draw the conclusion that theirs are necessarily better doctors."

Defending the merits of the report

The Fraser Institue's Peter Crowley says he isn't surprised at the criticisms.

"As long as the people in power -- the minister, the head of the school board - as long as they say all of our schools are excellent, then we've got trouble."

Crowley says that when certain schools are consistently ranked at the bottom of the report, there are problems worth discussing.

"If Nisgaa Secondary was at the bottom 12 years ago and it's at the bottom now, maybe we need some new ideas," he said. "Things need to be shaken up, and bad."

Crowley says the purpose of the report is not to discourage students, but to get teachers to consider their own methods and approach.

"There are two words that should be the motto for every educator in the country: No excuses."