The West Plains High School is among the best high schools in the region, state, and nation, according to 2021 rankings released by U.S. News and World Report. The West Plains High School is ranked #71 within Missouri in the latest U.S. News Best Schools list. U.S. News ranked approximately 24,000 public high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
According to U.S. News, a partnership with RTI International, a science research firm, was created to produce the 2021 Best High Schools rankings. The rankings are based on these fundamental principles: a great high school must serve all its students, not just those who are college-bound, and that it must produce measurable academic outcomes to show it is successfully educating its student body across a range of performance indicators.
A four-step evaluation is used to determine medal-winning schools. U.S. News uses primary data on enrollment, student ethnicity, and other profile information on the school. Also considered are Advanced Placement (AP) data for each school. Each high school’s statewide assessment is included in the evaluation. Finally, graduation rates and college readiness are included in the rankings.
“This award speaks volumes about the hard work our staff and students put into academics. Receiving this recognition is tangible proof of the team effort put forth by the West Plains High School staff and students, providing an environment where students can pursue unlimited possibilities,” says Dr. Lori Wilson, Superintendent of Schools.
A link to the U.S. News Best Schools list: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/national-rankings
