High schools in Fairfax and Montgomery counties are among the best

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U.S. News & World Report came out with its list of the best high schools. Virginia and Maryland are very well ranked. See which local school ranked fourth in the nation, as well as the other schools that made the list.

Several high schools in Maryland and Virginia in Montgomery and Fairfax counties rank among the best in the country according to an annual ranking published by US News & World Report.

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, located in Alexandria, Va., Leads the national rankings nationally. She is also in first place. She is also No. 1 in Virginia; No. 4 among schools of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) nationwide; and No. 3 among magnetic schools nationwide.

"It's a magnetic school that has worked well over the years," said Anita Narayan, editor-in-chief of education for US News. "This year again, it's incredibly high."

While US News & World Report has changed the ranking criteria this year for its annual ranking of the country's best public secondary schools, Thomas Jefferson High School is a familiar name close to the top of the class.

In Maryland, the highest ranked school is Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda (No. 93 nationally). In California, it was the Benjamin Banneker Academy (No. 178 at the national level).

Other high schools in the region that have performed well nationally include:

Langley (McLean, Virginia; No. 123)
Thomas S. Wootton (Rockville, Maryland No. 125)
McLean (McLean; No. 127)
Oakton (Vienna, Virginia; No. 173)
School without walls (C.C. No. 191)
River Hill (Clarksville, Maryland; No. 245)
Bethesda-Chevy Chase (Bethesda, No. 276)
BASE (OC, No. 289)

Academic Magnet High School in Charleston, South Carolina, ranks first in the world.

The United States has reviewed more than 23,000 public high schools and has ranked 17,245 this year for the purpose of being more complete and comprehensive, they said. (Only 2,700 were graded in 2018.) This year's larger sample includes 1,760 charter schools and 857 magnetic schools. Private schools are not included, said Narayan, as they are not required to pass statewide responsibility tests.

A new methodology was also implemented on the basis of six indicators: university preparation (30% of the total score); mastery of reading and mathematics (20%); reading and math performance (20%); under-served students (10%); extent of college program (10%); and graduation rate (10%).

This is equivalent to what American News has called a more holistic approach to ranking.

"We really wanted families to be easier to understand," Narayan said, "and also to make sure we're comparing apples to apples across the country."

In addition, the United States ranked states by the percentage of their schools ranked among the richest 25% in the country. Maryland was No. 2 national and Virginia No. 8, with 43.7% and 31.9% of their schools, respectively, in fourth place nationwide. D.C. arrived at No. 22, with 24.2%. In comparison, Massachusetts is No. 1 with 48.8%.

Narayan reminded parents that these rankings do not constitute the "all be and end all". On-site visits can also help them get an idea of key elements such as student-teacher interaction, classroom environment, and so on.

"You really have a better idea of what this school will offer your child," she said.

Parents interested in STEM, magnet or charter schools can also access special rankings focused on these categories. See all rankings on the US News website.

Kristi King of WTOP contributed to this report.

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