Pattonville High School was ranked in the Top 20 high schools in Missouri and the Top 10 percent of high schools in the nation on U.S. News and World Report's 2013 Best High Schools Ranking List. Pattonville was ranked No. 19 out of 560 high schools in Missouri and No. 1,914 out of more than 21,000 public high schools in the U.S.
"This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students and our teaching staff as well as further proof that Pattonville High School is an exemplary high school that fosters the social and academic development of each student," said Dr. Joe Dobrinic, Pattonville High School principal.
U.S. News evaluated 21,035 public high schools in 49 states and the District of Columbia. Schools were awarded gold, silver or bronze medals based on state proficiency standards and how well they prepare students for college. Pattonville was one of 7 percent of schools that earned a silver medal. The Top 500 high schools in the nation (or Top 2 percent) earned the gold medal.
U.S. News used a three-step screening process in order to select the Best High Schools. The first two steps were designed to ensure that the schools serve all of their students well, using performance on state standardized tests as the benchmarks. During the first step, schools had to demonstrate that their students performed better than statistically expected for the average student in the state based on reading and math test results. Schools which made it past the first step were evaluated based on whether the school's least-advantaged students were performing better than average for similar students in the state.
Schools which made it past the first two steps became eligible to be judged nationally on the final step - college readiness performance. This criteria used advanced placement (AP) or international baccalaureate test data as benchmarks for success, depending which was the largest at the school. Pattonville was evaluated based on its AP data, including participation rate and AP test data. AP is a College Board program that offers college-level courses at high schools across the country.
To see Missouri's Best High Schools Ranking list, go to:http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/missouri/rankings?int=c0b4c1
