Wheaton North High School is among the top in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.
In a recent issue, the magazine listed 1,591 high schools that it ranked in the top 6 percent nationwide. Wheaton North, with a silver rating, was one of about 500 schools ranked in the top 3 percent.
“We’re kind of screaming it from the rooftops every opportunity we can,” said Bob Rammer, spokesman for Community Unit School District 200. “I’m sure it’s going to be part of our normal success stories.”
He said it was an honor that a publication as prestigious as U.S. News & World would recognize Wheaton North.
“I think it simply reflects the kind of quality of education, and it says that other people recognize that as well,” Rammer said.
The magazine analyzed almost 19,000 schools from 40 states — information from 10 states and Washington, D.C., was not available — to compile the list.
Using an evaluation model created by School Evaluation Services, a K-12 education data research firm, U.S. News ranked schools with a three-step process. First, it weeded out schools that did not stack up according to proficiency standards. Then it eliminated those whose least-advantaged students were underperforming.
Those that remained were judged by their students’ “college readiness.” The magazine weighed the number of students who took advanced-placement classes and tests, which give high school students the chance to earn college credits.
The top 100 schools received a gold label, the next 405 received silver, while the remaining 1,086 received bronze.
Sixty-three Illinois high schools, most in Cook County, made the list. Three other DuPage County schools — Hinsdale Central, Naperville North and Naperville Central high schools — were honored as well, all receiving silver awards.
A full list of the rankings as well as information on the criteria involved can be found at www.usnews.com/highschools.
U.S. News has regularly ranked colleges since 1983, but this is the first year that it has turned its attention toward evaluating high schools.
Much like the college rankings, the information on high schools is meant to give parents and students better insight into education. What they do with that information is up to them, said magazine spokeswoman Cynthia Powell.
“If parents want to hold more towns’ high schools accountable,” she said. “If parents are considering a move, this is a way of better informing themselves.”
The high school ranking edition likely will become an annual feature, Powell said, giving District 200 an opportunity to expand the number of schools it has on the list next year.
“We’re hoping,” Rammer said. “Keeping our fingers crossed.”
