Minnesota High Schools Make Newsweek’s Top 500

Five Montgomery County high schools made Newsweek’s ranking of the top 500 high schools in the United States, which was released Wednesday.

“America’s Top High Schools” identifies top 500 schools by measuring factors including graduation rate, college enrollment rate, SAT and ACT scores and participation, AP/IB scores and participation, full time counselors to students ratio, dropout rate, enrollment in college courses during high school and state test scores.

Carrboro High School was ranked No. 307, and Green Hope High School in Cary was No. 338.

Corona del Mar High School in Newport Beach was No. 116.

The rankings measured students’ socioeconomic status using the percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Each school had graduation rates of 100 percent, and each student enrolled in a college after getting their diplomas.

To compile the top 500 list, Newsweek partnered with statistical survey research corporation Westat to create a three-step procedure comprised of a shortlist analysis, ranking analysis, and equity (Gold Star) analysis. “Our success is a team effort that includes staff expertise, strong commitments from our students and great parent support.”.

Gatlinburg-Pittman was also on a second list, “Beating the Odds”, along with Pigeon Forge High School, L&N STEM Academy and seven schools in other parts of Tennessee.

“Since 2014, Newsweek has published two separate lists in an effort to address the complexities of assessing the “best” high schools when students’ socioeconomic backgrounds are taken into account”, the publication said on their website. More than 93 percent of graduates move onto college. The school, with about 1,060 students, offers seven career-themed programs at its Hackensack campus.