U.S. News & World Report has issued its annual ranking of the top high schools in the nation, along with its state rankings. No area schools made the cut in the national rankings, but four Indiana County schools earned “medal” status.
Indiana Area High School topped the list, with a silver medal. Indiana ranked 81st in the state. United is the second-highest ranking Indiana County school. It earned a bronze medal and is ranked 159th. A few spots back at number 166 is Blairsville High School, which is also a bronze medal school. Saltsburg also earned a bronze medal, but no numerical ranking.
Among neighboring counties, Ligonier Valley was a silver medal school, and a ranking of number 102 in the state. West Shamokin is ranked number 108, and won a bronze medal. Punxsutawney earned a bronze medal and a ranking of number 117. Other bronze medal schools which did not get a numerical ranking were Apollo Ridge and Derry.
The ranking are determined based on math and reading scores on state tests, graduation rates, and college or career preparation, with other considerations including whether or not a school’s minority or low-income students perform at or better than the state average scores.
