Several local high schools earned top grades in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2017 Best High Schools rankings, announced Tuesday.
Of Akron-area schools, Aurora High School came in at No. 202 among the nation’s best high schools. It also ranked 120th for best science, math, engineering and technology (STEM) schools in the United States and No. 4 overall in Ohio.
Hudson High School performed best among Summit County schools, ranking 216th in the nation, No. 183 for best U.S. STEM schools and fifth overall in Ohio.
The rankings identify the top-performing public high schools at the national and state level and include data on more than 22,000 schools.
The lists look at public schools that best serve all of their students, including disadvantaged populations, and focus on student outcomes with an emphasis on graduation rates and state proficiency tests. They consider enrollment, graduation rates, diversity, participation in free and reduced-price lunch programs, and the results of state assessments and AP exams.
This year, U.S. News changed the way it factors Advanced Placement exams as part of the tiebreaker in the methodology to better reflect schools that are preparing their students for college. The measure includes giving more weight to schools where students participate — and pass — a variety of college-level courses and exams.
Other local schools ranked among the nation’s best are Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School at No. 733, which also ranked 28th in Ohio; and Jackson High School at No. 956 in the nation and No. 35 in Ohio.
Other Akron-Canton area schools ranked among the best schools in Ohio include:
• Fairbanks High School, 36th.
• Revere High School, 44th.
• Highland High School, 45th.
• Twinsburg High School, 46th.
• North Canton Hoover High School, 50th.
• Stow-Munroe Falls High School, 54th.
• Perry High School, 59th.
• Louisville High School, 60th.
• Wooster High School, 75th.
• Tallmadge High School, 88th.
• Brunswick High School, 96th.
• Lake High School, 97th.
• North Royalton High School, 98th.
Walnut Hills High School in Cincinnati was ranked No. 1 in Ohio.
BASIS Scottsdale in Arizona came in at No. 1 in the national rankings.
