Long County High School was recently recognized by U.S. News & World Report in its annual "America’s Best High Schools" issue.
The publication evaluated 21,069 schools in 48 states.
According to LCHS Assistant Principal Scott Hattaway, the school was listed in the "bronze medal" category mainly because of its methodology and its students’ performance on state standardized tests.
LCHS was among 22 schools in Georgia to earn a bronze medal, which means the school is considered among the top 10 percent of secondary schools nationally.
Schools on the bronze list met two of U.S. News’ key performance indicators. The indicators analyze reading and math results. Schools where all students perform better than statistically expected meet the first indicator. The second indicator is met when economically disadvantaged students achieve better than statistically expected.
U.S. News used a formula based on reading and math test scores, school demographics and performance on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams as a means of evaluating schools.
The lone state school to earn a gold medal as one of the nation’s top 100 schools is Davidson Magnet School in Augusta, which is ranked No. 89. The three Georgia schools honored with a silver medal — the top 2.9 percent nationally — include Savannah Arts Academy.
Hattaway said LCHS was contacted last week by the magazine.
"Good things have been happening at our high school, and they are going to continue happening in the future," Hattaway said.
"We want parents to know that LCHS is a great place for them to have their kids educated. U.S. News & World Report thinks so, and so does the staff at the high school."
A complete list of the magazine’s list, along with information about how schools were ranked, can be found at www.usnews.com/highschools or at www.schoolmatters.com .
LCHS currently has 588 students enrolled. The school’s principal is Delores Mallard.
LCHS was recognized during the 2007-2008 school year for exceeding federal Adequate Yearly Progress guidelines, and was the recipient of the 2008 Regional Governor’s Cup.