The annual U.S. News and World Report rankings of the Best High Schools in America was announced earlier this month, and more than a dozen Long Beach Unified School District high schools earned a coveted spot in the rankings.

The top-ranked school from the district this year was CAMS–California Academy of Math and Science–which ranked as the No. 2 high school in California and No. 15 in the nation. CAMS received a total score of 99.92 out of 100, buoyed by its 100 percent graduation rate. CAMS is a perennial favorite on the list, in 2020 winning the top spot in all of California.

“Congratulations to all of our high schools on the list. You have made us proud once again,” LBUSD Superintendent Jill Baker said. “These results represent tremendous efforts by our staff, students and their families. For many students, our high schools provide a path to becoming the first in their family to go to college. Here in Long Beach, excellence and equity go hand-in-hand. We plan to build on this success so that more students, regardless of their challenges, can find their path forward.”

U.S. News and World Report looks at data from nearly 24,000 public high schools across all 50 states, plus charter, magnet, and other specialized schools. To determine the rankings, schools are judged based on six key criteria: college readiness, college curriculum breadth, state assessment proficiency, state assessment performance, underserved student performance and graduation rate.

A little over 1,600 high schools in California were recognized in this year’s list.

Sato Academy of Math and Science checked in at No. 12 in the state rankings and just outside the top 100 in the nation at 105. McBride High School was next on the list, ranked the No. 53 high school in California.

Continuing on the list, Wilson, Long Beach Poly and Millikan each ranked within the top 500 high schools in California. The remaining LBUSD high schools to earn a spot in this year’s rankings were Renaissance, Lakewood, Avalon, Cabrillo, Jordan, and Educational Partnership High School.

Visit the U.S. News website for the complete rankings, as well as more information on each school.

Wilson High students lead rally for abortion rights in Long Beach