The U.S. News & World Report’s list of America’s Best High Schools of 2016 has been released, and Morristown-Hamblen High Schools West and East have been named as recipients of silver medals, ranked 20 and 25 in Tennessee respectively.
“First off, I would just like to say congratulations to both East and West high schools for being recognized in this way for academic excellence,” director of Hamblen County Schools Dale Lynch said. “This is the first time that both schools have been named to the top 25, and that means it’s a great day for this entire school system.”
This publication of America’s Best High Schools by U.S. News in conjunction with RTI International is meant to identify the nation’s top-performing public high schools by ranking how teachers and the administration are able to serve all students. Higher ranking schools may serve as models for other schools and systems to follow. In addition, high schools being ranked and listed in such a way allows parents and families to research and make wise decisions about their children’s education. All public high schools in the nation were eligible for review and almost all were evaluated throughout the selection process. A total of 19,908 schools were ranked.
East High School was ranked 25 in Tennessee and 2,475 in the nation; West High School was ranked 20 in the state and 1,873 in the nation. Both schools received silver medals and were selected through a four-step process. High schools ranked among the best attained performance levels that exceeded the statistical expectations given to each school. This was measured by state accountability test scores in reading and math.
More than half of East High’s students tested at proficient or above in English and Algebra, 61% and 69% respectively. West’s numbers were similar with 65% of students succeeding in English and 67% in Algebra. East High’s State Test Performance Index was 85.9, 10.5 points above what was expected. West’s STPI was 8.1 points above what was expected at 90.5.
Lynch said the recognition reflects well on the system as a whole as education begins at an early age. He thanked the elementary and middle school teachers and staff members for giving Hamblen County students the foundation needed to succeed.
He said the education continues in high school where the system is able to offer a variety of AP courses. It is an opportunity he said many students are taking advantage of. He thanked the teachers and students for that fact. “It’s a fabulous day,” Lynch said. “The entire administrative staff and teachers deserve pats on the back today, but the students do as well because they are willing to learn and are willing to take these rigorous courses and be challenged. Together, as a system, we are doing everything we can to move forward, and this is a step in the right direction.”
Data used in the U.S. News selection process was taken from The Common Core of Data, College Board, International Baccalaureate and other sources for the 2014-15 school year. For more information and a complete list of the national and state rankings, visit www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools.
-by Ambria Collins, Citizen Tribune staff writer
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