U.S. News Media Group Announces Inaugural Rankings of Best High Schools for Math and Science

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. News Media Group today released the first-ever edition of the Best High Schools for Math and Science rankings. U.S. News & World Report Chairman and Editor-in-Chief Mortimer B. Zuckerman announced the rankings this morning at the U.S. News STEM Summit: "Making Science Cool: Solving the Shortage of Math and Science Students," held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The rankings, also found on USNews.com, focus on the STEM components of science, technology, engineering, and math.

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Drawing from the U.S. News Best High School rankings, the list of 200-plus schools were chosen based on the performance of their students in a series of AP (Advanced Placement®) math and science classes using 2008 graduating class data. AP is a classification of coursework designated by the College Board for work performed at a college level while in high school.

Many of the highest paying jobs today and in the future will require proficiency in the STEM fields: science, technology, engineering, and math. American companies, who must compete globally, say they cannot find enough qualified STEM students in the United States and jobs remain unfilled or outsourced to other countries because of it. American students rank near the bottom in science and math literacy among students from developed countries.

"Success in math and science in high school is critical for the future of the United States, yet fewer than half of American high school graduates are ready for college-level math, while even fewer are prepared for science courses in college," said U.S.News & World Report Editor and Chief Content Officer Brian Kelly. "The Best High Schools for Math and Science rankings were developed as part of U.S. News's larger initiative to provide consumers with the latest news, research, and resources concerning STEM education."

To qualify for the Best High Schools for Math and Science ranking, a school first had to be listed as Gold, Silver, or Honorable Mention in the U.S. News Best High Schools rankings published in December 2009. A total of 598 schools made that cut, and the list was then narrowed down to 208 schools, based on the level of participation and achievement in AP math and science tests. For more information about the ranking methodology, visit www.usnews.com/stem-methodology.

Along with the new high school rankings, U.S. News also launched the U.S. News STEM Education Center. In addition to latest news and events, users can browse viewpoints from top experts in the field, rankings of top STEM schools, and stories about programs and people that are making a difference.

For more information about U.S. News Best High Schools, visit www.usnews.com/highschools or find us on Facebook or Twitter.

Best High Schools for Math and Science Rankings

*For the full list of rankings, visit USNews.com

1. High Technology High School (NJ)
2. BASIS Tucson (AZ)
3. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (VA)
4. Oxford Academy (CA)
5. The School of Science and Engineering Magnet – SEM (TX)
6. The School for the Talented and Gifted – TAG Magnet (TX)
7. Pacific Collegiate School (CA)
8. International Community School (WA)
9. Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IL)
10. Mission San Jose High School (CA)

About the U.S. News Media Group. The U.S. News Media Group is a multi-platform publisher of news and analysis, which includes the digital-only U.S. News Weekly magazine, www.usnews.com, and www.rankingsandreviews.com. Focusing on Health, Money, Education, Travel, Cars, and Public Service/Opinion, the U.S. News Media Group has earned a reputation as the leading provider of service news and information that improves the quality of life of its readers. The U.S. News Media Group's signature franchise includes its News You Can Use® brand of journalism and its "Best" series of consumer guides that include rankings of colleges, graduate schools, hospitals, mutual funds, health plans, and more.

SOURCE U.S. News Media Group