Newsweek magazine has announced its annual list of America’s Top High Schools, and Lake Highlands again made the cut. LHHS was ranked 707 on the list of 1480 schools. DISD’s Talented and Gifted Magnet was first, and their Science and Engineering Magnet was second. Also ranked: Highland Park (23), Richardson High (455), JJ Pearce (461), and Berkner (991). The list represents the top 6% of the nation’s public high schools.
The primary criteria for ranking is an index of Advanced Placement (AP) tests taken divided by the number of graduating seniors. This index is designed to indicate the percentage of students taking high-level, college prep courses. LHHS also has 32% of students qualifying for subsidized lunch, an indication of achievement among significant underprivileged populations. We also scored 33% on their “equity and excellence” index, meaning one-third of our seniors passed at least one AP test. Passing an AP exam is equivalent to passing – and getting credit for – a college course, which results in thousands of dollars in tuition savings. The rankings are based on 2007 data. Congratulations to RISD for landing all four high schools on this prestigious list.
