Two local high schools ranked in the top 13 percent of the nation’s top performing schools by U.S. News & World Report.
Hudson and Aurora high schools were listed as 268th and 348th among 2,673 schools in the news organization’s 2016 Best High School Rankings. The report, released today, is based on data from more than 21,500 public high schools. Its goal is to identify which schools are best at preparing students for college and careers.
Gold and silver awards were given to schools that were classified as most successful in preparing students for college, based on students participating in and achieving passing scores on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests. The report also listed bronze status high schools in alphabetical order, based on state exam performance.
Both Hudson and Aurora received gold ratings. The distinction is given to the top 500 schools nationwide with the highest college readiness results.
Silver ratings went to high-performing schools with lower college readiness evaluations. Local high schools included in that list are Revere, Jackson, Twinsburg, Hoover, Highland, Tallmadge, Stow-Munroe Falls, Lake, Green, Medina, Copley, Nordonia and Brunswick.
Nationally, The School for the Talented and Gifted in Dallas ranked in the No. 1 spot for the fifth consecutive year. Two Arizona schools, BASIS Scottsdale and BASIS Tucson North, came in at Nos. 2 and 3, respectively.
The best high schools were identified using a four-step process based on overall reading and math scores on state proficiency tests; proficiency test scores in reading and math for disadvantaged students (black, Hispanic and low-income); graduation rates that meet or exceed the national standard of 68 percent; and a college readiness index based on AP or IB participation and test results.
The graduation rate is a new benchmark used this year. Ohio tied in the fifth spot, with Delaware, at 94.1 percent for the state with the highest average graduation rate. The two states were topped by Texas (96.4 percent), Nebraska (95 percent), New Jersey (94.7 percent) and Iowa (94.6 percent).
A state-by-state evaluation of the 2016 Best High Schools rankings showed that Maryland was the leading performer for the second year in a row, with 28.9 percent of its schools earning gold and silver medals. Connecticut ranked second with 24.9 percent and California was third, with 23.8 percent. Ohio was in the 11th spot with 17.6 percent of its 879 eligible schools earning gold and silver status.
The 2016 Best High Schools report also ranked STEM magnet and charter schools.
High Technology High School in Lincroft, N.J., topped the list of the nation’s best STEM schools. Locally, Aurora and Hudson high schools also made the STEM school list, ranked at 125 and 183, respectively.
No Ohio schools made the list of Best Magnet Schools or Best Charter Schools.
To view the full report, go to www.usnews.com.
Colette Jenkins can be reached at 330-996-3731 or cjenkins@thebeaconjournal.com. She can be followed at www.twitter.com/ColetteMJenkins.