AUSTIN -- Seven Austin Independent School District schools were among the best in the nation, according the 2015 U.S. News and World Report rankings.
Five schools, namely Anderson, Austin, Bowie, Liberal Arts Science Academy and McCallum high schools, reclaimed spots on the publication's annual list of "Best High Schools." The Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders and Akins High School were ranked for the first time.
U.S. News and World Report evaluated 29,000 high schools across the nation and produced the following rankings for AISD schools:
- LASA - sixth in Texas, 36th nationally
- Ann Richards - 24th in Texas, 123rd nationally
- McCallum - 101st in Texas, 963rd nationally
- Anderson - 106th in Texas, 1022nd nationally
- Bowie - 117th in Texas, 1170th nationally
- Austin - 126th in Texas, 1252nd nationally
- Akins - 180th in Texas, 2024th nationally.
"AISD schools provide students with a high-quality education and a world of rich opportunities to help them prepare for college, career and life," said AISD Superintendent Paul Cruz. "To compete in a global economy and contribute to a community's prosperity, students must have options to study a range of programs, including the arts, business, civics, medicine and STEM. AISD offers these choices."
Many of the seven AISD schools rank at the top of other national lists that recognize the best educational programs in the country.
"I am proud of the accomplishments of our students, teachers and team members," Cruz said. "I know we have top-notch schools, and I'm glad they are getting the recognition they deserve."
The national rankings are determined through a three-step process. For the first two steps, U.S. News and World Report reviewed overall student performance on state-required tests and factored in how effectively the schools educated their least-advantaged students. Finally, the publication assessed the schools on how well they prepared students for college, based on participation in and performance on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams. Go here to review the full list of rankings.
