Seven Austin ISD high schools are among the best in the nation, according to the 2016 Washington Post America's Most Challenging High Schools rankings.
"I am excited to see Austin ISD schools continue to be recognized in Texas and the nation year after year," Superintendent Paul Cruz said. "Our staff and students do outstanding work in the classroom every day. I'm proud of them for providing Austin some of the best schools in the country."
Four of the seven were among the top-ranked public high schools on the magazine's list in 2015.
After evaluating high schools throughout the country, The Washington Post ranked:
- Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders—26th in Texas, 67th nationally;
- Anderson—69th in Texas, 427th nationally;
- Crockett—135th in Texas, 1302nd nationally;
- Bowie—151st in Texas, 1845th nationally
- Akins—146th in Texas, 2000th nationally;
- Lanier—157th in Texas, 2262nd nationally; and
- Austin—171st in Texas, 2332nd nationally.
Many of the seven AISD schools rank at the top of other national lists that recognize the best educational programs in the country.
The rankings are determined by taking the total number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Cambridge tests given at a school each year and dividing that by the number of seniors who graduated in May or June. Schools are then ranked in order of that ratio.