Last week, schools across the nation were abuzz with the release of “Best High School Rankings” by U.S. New & World Report magazine. The Best High Schools rankings, which are available online only, are produced in conjunction with the American Institutes for Research (AIR), one of the largest behavioral and social science research organizations in the world.
With the data release, U.S. News published detailed information on more than 21,000 public high schools, including school-specific data on enrollment, ethnicity, location, school type and results of state assessment proficiency tests and Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests. Using some of this data and a comprehensive methodology, the schools were given a college readiness index score, with the top scoring 4,805 schools receiving a gold, silver or bronze medal and – in the case of gold and silver schools – a numerical ranking.
This year, Camas High School (CHS) received a silver medal, and climbed up in the rankings.
“Well, I think it is great,” said CHS Principal, Steve Marshall. “I love it when CHS makes headlines. But what I really like is what this award represents. While the methodology behind this award is somewhat controversial, the silver medal status represents a couple of different things: 1) A significant number of CHS students are challenging themselves by taking Advanced Placement classes and, moreover, succeeding in those classes; and, 2) CHS students are doing well on the Washington High School Proficiency Exam compared to other schools around the state. Both of those areas translate into college readiness.”
Marshall continues: “This is the third time we have been awarded the Silver Medal by US News and World Report. In 2010 we ranked just in the top 5% of US public high schools – right around #950. This year we were ranked #744. It is exciting to us climb the rankings.”
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