Carnegie Vanguard High School has been ranked as the eighth best high school in the country, according to the U.S. News & World Report’s 2017 Best High Schools rankings – up two spots from the 2016 list. It ranked as second best in the state.
Two additional Houston Independent School District schools were ranked in the top 100 nationally — DeBakey High School for Health Professions, which was ranked 18th – up from 29th in 2016 — and Challenge Early College High School, which was ranked 69th. DeBakey ranked fourth-best in Texas, and Challenge ranked eighth-best in the state.
The U.S. News & World Report rankings are designed to identify great high schools that serve all students — no matter their socioeconomic status. The list is determined by looking at results from state assessments, as well as the degree to which students at each school are prepared for college-level work. Graduation rates were also included as a factor in the rankings.
A total of 21 HISD schools were included on the 2017 list, which recognized more than 6,000 top public high schools from across the country. Five received Gold Medal Designations, 12 received Silver Medal Designations, and four received Bronze Medal Designations.
“It is with a great deal of pride that we recognize the accomplishments of the students, teachers, principals, and staff at these schools,” HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza said. “To be recognized on a national level is a testament to HISD’s commitment to prepare our students for success after graduation – whether beginning in a successful career or pursuing higher education.”
Seventeen of these schools also were included on the U.S. News & World Report lists for Best Magnet, Charter, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Schools. Carnegie Vanguard secured a second-place spot on the Best Magnet Schools list. DeBakey earned a fifth-place spot on the Best Magnet Schools list and a ninth-place spot on the list of Best STEM Schools. Challenge took home 17th place on the Best Magnet Schools list and 21st on the Best Charter Schools list.
The complete list of rankings is available at https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/national-rankings. HISD high schools included in rankings are listed below.
2017 Best High Schools List – HISD high schools
Gold Medal Designations
Carnegie Vanguard High School (U.S. rank: 8; Texas rank: 2; Magnet: 2; STEM: 128)
DeBakey High School for Health Professions (U.S. rank: 18; Texas: 4; Magnet: 5; STEM: 9)
Challenge Early College High School (U.S. rank: 69; Texas: 8; Magnet: 17; Charter: 21)
Eastwood Academy (U.S. rank: 145; Texas: 29; Charter: 51)
The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (U.S. rank: 241; Texas: 41; Magnet: 57; STEM: 218)
Silver Medal Designations
Sharpstown International School (U.S. rank: 615; Texas: 75; Magnet: 98)
Bellaire High School (U.S. rank: 633; Texas: 77; Magnet: 101)
High School for Law & Justice (U.S. rank: 732; Texas: 87; Magnet: 110)
Houston Academy for International Studies (U.S. rank: 765; Texas: 90; Magnet: 115; Charter: 143)
Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy (U.S. rank: 769; Texas: 91; Magnet: 117)
North Houston Early College High School (U.S. rank: 774; Texas: 93; Magnet: 119; Charter: 146)
East Early College High School (U.S. rank: 890; Texas: 105; Magnet: 134; Charter: 158)
Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy (U.S. rank: 1,063; Texas: 122; Magnet: 152)
Energized for STEM Academy West High School (U.S. rank: 1,101; Texas: 125; Charter: 172)
Lamar High School (U.S. rank: 1,538; Texas: 150; Magnet: 205)
Heights (formerly Regan) High School: (U.S. rank: 2,248; Texas: 191; Magnet: 273)
Jordan High School: (U.S. rank: 2,534; Texas: 213; Magnet: 290)
Bronze Medal Designations
Mount Carmel Academy (U.S. rank: Recognized; Texas: 241)
Energized for STEM Academy Central High School (U.S. rank: Recognized; Texas: Recognized)
Energy Institute High School (U.S. rank: Recognized; Texas: Recognized)
South Early College High School (U.S. rank: Recognized; Texas: Recognized)