US News Gives Mercer Island High 'Silver Medal' in National Ranking

US News & World Report ranked among the top 600 high schools in the nation, according to their recently-released "Best High Schools" survey.

The survey awarded Mercer Island High with a "Silver Medal", along with 16 other secondary schools in Washington state — high school or prep — based on 2007-2008 data comparing the school's performance in state proficiency standards with other schools in the state and Advanced Placement (AP)  participation and test scores.

Schools with the highest "Gold" ranking had an exceptionally high number of students demonstrating "college readiness" through their participation on Advanced Placement (AP) exams. Schools in Washington earning a "Gold" medal are (ranked in order, location): International School (#10, Bellevue), International Community School (#29, Kirkland), Newport High (#72, Bellevue) and Bellevue High (#78, Bellevue). According to US News & World Report, the next 461 top-performing high schools nationwide — based on their college readiness index scores — earned silver medals.

Another 30 schools were awarded a "Bronze" for strong proficiency scores compared to the state average. 

The ranking methodology was developed by Standard & Poors-run School Evaluation Services. were based on 2008 data for schools that made the US News Best High Schools ranking in December 2009. Approximately 21,786 schools were ranked on the basis of performance on state proficiency standards in math and reading, and success in Advanced Placement test data. Additional weight was given to schools who had high-performing students from economically-disadvantaged or minority backgrounds.

Click here to see a full list of the schools recognized by US News & World Report.