U.S. News & World Report Releases The 2015 Best High Schools Rankings

Maryland claims highest percentage of top-performing high schools, followed by California and Connecticut

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May 12, 2015, 12:01 ET

WASHINGTON, May 12, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- U.S. News & World Report today announced the 2015 Best High Schools rankings, highlighting top-performing public schools on a state and national level. The 2015 rankings, available exclusively at usnews.com, include data on more than 21,150 public high schools. The School for the Talented and Gifted in Dallas, Texas, earns the No. 1 spot nationally for the fourth straight year, followed by BASIS Scottsdale in Arizona at No. 2 and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Virginia, at No. 3.

U.S. News differentiates high schools with gold, silver and bronze medals, using gold medals to indicate the greatest level of college readiness. In this year's edition of Best High Schools, 6,517 schools received medals. Maryland claims the highest percentage of top-performing high schools, with nearly 30 percent of its eligible schools earning gold or silver medals. California comes in second with 27 percent, followed by Connecticut with 25 percent. A state-by-state breakdown is available here.

Along with the national rankings, U.S. News released new Best STEM Schools, Best Charter Schools, Best Magnet Schools and individual statewide rankings.

2015 Best High Schools National Rankings
*For the full list of rankings, visit www.usnews.com/highschools

1. School for the Talented and Gifted (TX)	6. Carnegie Vanguard High School (TX)
2. BASIS Scottsdale (AZ)	7. Academic Magnet High School (SC)
3. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (VA)	8. University High School (AZ)
4. Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology (GA)	9. Lamar Academy (TX)
5. School of Science and Engineering Magnet (TX)	10. Gilbert Classical Academy High School (AZ)

2015 Best STEM Schools Rankings

1. High Technology High School (NJ)	6. Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions (TX)
2. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (VA)	7. The Early College at Guilford (NC)
3. BASIS Scottsdale (AZ)	8. Darien High School (CT)
4. Middlesex County Academy for Science, Mathematics and Engineering Technologies (NJ)	9. University High School (CA)
5. Whitney High School (CA)	10. Lynbrook High School (CA)

"A high school diploma is essential for career and financial success," said Brian Kelly, editor and chief content officer of U.S. News & World Report. "The Best High Schools rankings are a useful tool for families trying to discern how well schools are serving their students in preparation for college and careers."

To create the 2015 Best High Schools rankings, U.S. News worked with RTI International, a North Carolina-based research firm. New this year, the Best High Schools methodology was updated to reduce volatility in the rankings from year to year.

The Best High Schools website includes data for thousands of schools, including enrollment; diversity; participation in free and reduced-price lunch programs; and the results of state assessments, Advanced Placement® and International Baccalaureate tests.

For more information about Best High Schools, visit www.usnews.com/highschools and join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter using the #BestHighSchools hashtag.

About U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is a digital news and information company that empowers people to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives. Focusing on Education, Health, Personal Finance, Travel, Cars and News & Opinion, www.usnews.com provides consumer advice, rankings, news and analysis to serve people making complex decisions throughout all stages of life. Thirty million people visit www.usnews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

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SOURCE U.S. News & World Report