This is a list of the 10 schools in Connacht with the highest numbers of pupils accepted on university places in 2012. You could call it a list of the top 10 best schools in Connacht – but high numbers getting into university may not mean the school is a good one – but it’s a good guide. Without the publication of leaving cert results there isn’t much else information available. The data is from the Sunday Times Irish Schools Guide for 2013
1 Colaiste na Coirbe, Tuam Road, Galway 77.8
2 Jesus & Mary Secondary School, Salthill, Galway 77.0
3 Colaiste Iognaid SJ, Sea Road, Galway 72.8
4 Seamount College, Kinvara, Co. Galway 69.5
5 Colaiste Ghobnait, Inis Oirr, Oileain Arainn, Co. Galway 66.1
6 St. Joseph’s College, Nun’s Island, Galway 65.9
7 St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Castlebar, Co. Mayo 62.4
8 Sligo Grammar School, The Mall, Sligo 61.5
9 Dominican College, Taylor’s Hill, Galway 57.8
10 St. Gerald’s College, Castlebar, Co. Mayo 56.9
The Sunday Times tables were compiled by looking at the progression of students to third-level study from all 723 secondary schools in Ireland Third-level institutions do not stand over its accuracy when used to compile league tables. Data on admissions to Northern Irish, English, Scottish and Welsh universities and equivalent institutions came from UCAS.
In most instances, the data records the school where a candidate sat the Leaving Certificate on their first attempt. A small number of third-level institutions supplied data for both repeat and first-attempt students. Some excluded schools of fewer than three entrants. In these instances to reduce the distortion the Sunday Times examined the numbers repeating at each school and made other statistical adjustments. They excluded all external candidates and also excluded several institutions which specialise in repeat exams. This adjustment means that in some cases those progressing to university and third-level is overstated.