12 Florida public high schools among top 100 in America: report
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – 12 Florida public high schools were recognized alongside 100 public schools as being the best in the United States, according to a study from U.S. News and World Report.
The report named Osprey’s Pine View School, located in Sarasota County, as the top high school in the state. The school, which also placed 18th nationally, “mixes traditional classroom learning with independent study, mini-courses and ungraded classes.”
Additionally, the report indicated the school placed a strong emphasis on parent involvement through volunteering and fundraising opportunities with open houses, newsletters, and field trips. The school also requires its students to hold a minimum grade point average and complete advanced foreign language classes to graduate.
Overall, the Pine View School marked an 100% graduation rate amongst its 695 students in grades 9-12. Also serving grades 2-8, the school further offers extracurricular activities to include drama club, Model United Nations, and National Honor Society.
For its findings, U.S. News analyzed 25,000 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. Of those, 18,000 schools were specifically ranked on six factors, including their performance on state assessments and how well they prepared students for college.
Millennium 6-12 Collegiate Academy, located in Broward County, finished as the second best public high school in Florida. Also rated 41st nationally, the school holds an 100% graduation rate amongst its 243 high school students.
Specifically, the Tamarac school holds a 90% minority rate while 61% of it students are economically disadvantaged. Students also are given the opportunity to take Advanced Placement courses, of which 100% participate in.
Westshore Junior/Senior High School, located in Melbourne, was named as the third best public high school in Florida. At 43rd overall, the school also holds an 100% graduation rate amongst its 579 high school students.
In Miami-Dade County, Archimedean Upper Conservatory Charter School ranked fourth in Florida and 51st overall. It was closely followed by Stanton College Preparatory School in Jacksonville, which placed 55th overall and fifth in the state.
Edgewood Junior/Senior High School in Merttitt Island ranked sixth in Florida and 57th nationally. It was followed by Marine Academy of Science and Technology in North Miami; Jose Marti Mast 6-12 Academy in Hialeah; Design and Architecture Senior High School in Miami; and Alexander W. Dreyfoos Junior school in West Palm Beach in the state’s top 10 and nation’s top 100.
Two other Florida public high schools, Neocity Academy in Kissimmee and Suncoast Community High School in Riviera Beach, also finished among the nation’s top 100.
According to U.S. News and World, BASIS Peoria ranked as the best public high school in the country. Located Arizona, the charter school offers Advanced Placement courses in or before 10th grade while seniors take a college counseling workshop prior to graduating.
