Five area high schools in Top 20 statewide, including Laconia, I-L

By ROGER AMSDEN, for THE LACONIA DAILY SUN

MEREDITH — Five Lakes Region area schools were rated in the top 20 in the state in the U.S. News & World Report's rankings of the best high schools nationwide.

Inter-Lakes High School in Meredith was ranked fourth, Moultonborough Academy was ranked sixth, Gilford High School 13th, Plymouth Regional High School 14th and Laconia High School 16th.

Both Inter-Lakes and Moultonborough were awarded silver medals and the other schools were awarded bronze medals. The state had 12 silver medal winners and eight bronze medal winners.

The U.S. News rankings highlight public schools that best serve all of their students, including disadvantaged populations. Overall, the rankings focus on student outcomes with an emphasis on graduation rates and state proficiency tests. Students at the 6,041 schools that receive national recognition from U.S. News graduate at rates that are 15 percent higher, on average, than students at schools nationwide that are not ranked.

New this year, U.S. News made a change in the way it factors Advanced Placement exams as part of the tiebreaker in the methodology to better reflect schools that are preparing their students for college. The measure includes giving more weight to schools where students participate – and pass – a variety of college-level courses and exams.

"Research has shown that students exposed to a more diverse high school curriculum are better equipped for college success," said Robert Morse, chief data strategist at U.S. News. "With this new tiebreaker measure, U.S. News is rewarding schools that make an effort to challenge their students in a broad range of subjects."

Inter-Lakes had a graduation rate of 85 percent with 37.5 percent college ready. Some 48 percent took AP exams and 71 percent passed those exams to earn college credits.

Moultonbrigh had a 91 percent gradation rate with 29.5 percent college ready. Forty one percent took AP exams with 63 percent passing.

Gilford had a 92 percent graduation rate with 19.8 percent college ready. There were 22 percent of students taking an AP exam and 83 percent passed.

Plymouth had a 99 percent graduation rate with 19.7 percent college ready. Some 23 percent of students took an AP exam and 86 percent passed.

Laconia had a 76 percent graduation rate with 12 percent college ready. There were 18 percent of students taking an AP exam and 57 percent passed.

Top-ranked schools in New Hampshire were Hollis-Brookline, Windham High School and Hopkinton High School.

"It is critical that students graduate from high school to put them on a successful path to college and a career," said Anita Narayan, managing editor of Education at U.S. News. "We encourage parents to use the data included in the 2017 Best High Schools rankings to help make informed decisions about their children's education."

U.S. News worked with RTI International, a global research firm, to implement the comprehensive rankings methodology.