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U.S. News & World Report this spring revealed the 2020 Best High Schools, with a number of Glendale schools among those recognized.
This edition ranks more schools across America than ever before, evaluating more than 17,700 public high schools on how well they serve all of their students, regardless of economic or ethnic background.
“The Best High Schools rankings provide the most comprehensive, data-based information on nearly every public high school in the country,” U.S. News managing editor of education Anita Narayan stated in a news release. “Families can use this information to see how their local schools compare on graduation rates and state assessments, as well as academic performance by students who are traditionally underserved – those who are black, Hispanic or from low-income households.”
The methodology takes a holistic approach to evaluating schools, focusing on six factors: college readiness, reading and math proficiency, reading and math performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth and graduation rates. College readiness measures participation and performance on AP and IB exams.
Mountain Ridge High School, 22800 N. 67th Ave., Glendale, is ranked 33rd within Arizona. Mountain Ridge High School is one of seven high schools in the Deer Valley Unified District.
Ironwood High School, 6051 W. Sweetwater Ave., Glendale, is ranked 87th within Arizona. Ironwood is one of 10 high schools in the Peoria Unified School District.
Great Hearts Academies-Glendale Prep, 23276 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria, is ranked 100th within Arizona. Great Hearts-Glendale Prep is the only high school in the Glendale Preparatory Academy.
Cactus High School, 6330 W. Greenway, Glendale, is ranked 109th within Arizona. Deer Valley High School, 18424 N. 51st Ave., Glendale, is ranked 128th.
Raymond S. Kellis, 8990 W. Orangewood, Glendale, is ranked 193rd.
Steve Stockmar has been with the Independent Newsmedia team since 2017. An NAU alum and Peoria resident, Steve’s community journalism pursuits focus mostly on arts & culture, education, and profiles of neighbors making a difference. In his spare time Steve plays in a vintage baseball league using uniforms and rules from the 1860s, and also acts (badly) in community theater. In addition, he has an unhealthy obsession with baseball and the Chicago Cubs.
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