Pasadena Unified School District high schools received a wide range of marks in U.S. News & World Report’s 2021 Best High School ranking, from 248th in the state to 1,160th.
The analysis by the news organization looked at nearly 24,000 high schools across the nation, including 1,675 in California.
“We rank high schools across the country to give an unbiased look at how well schools serve their students and help you make informed decisions about your child’s education,” according to a statement accompanying the report. “We also want to recognize high-performing schools and inspire educators and municipalities to do better.”
“The top-ranked schools have a high rate of students who scored above expectations in math and reading state assessments, passed an array of college-level exams, and graduated in four years,” the statement added.
Locally, Marshall Fundamental received the PUSD’s highest ranking at 248th in the state and 1,673th nationally.
Pasadena High School was ranked by the report 676th in California and came in at 4,511 at the national level.
John Muir High School received a ranking of 1,121th in California and 9,869 in the nation, while Blair High School was ranked 1,160th in the state and 10,562th nationwide.
In assigning the rankings, U.S. World & News Report looked at data from the U.S. Department of Education, statewide math and reading level assessment tests and high school graduation rates, and the College Board and International Baccalaureate, according to the agency. Information is neither collected nor accepted directly from schools.
Working alongside the North Carolina-based nonprofit social science research firm RTI International, schools were ranked by six criteria, which included: College readiness, reading and math proficiency, reading and math performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth and graduation rate.
The U.S. News & World Report 2021 Best High School ranking can be accessed online at usnews.com/education/best-high-schools.
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