• May 3, 2019

    USC named among the 2019 Best High Schools

    2019 Best High School Upper St. Clair High School ranks among the top two percent of high schools in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report. The newspaper released its list of 2019 Best High Schools on April 30, 2019.

    Ranked ninth in Pennsylvania, Upper St. Clair is the highest-ranking high school in Allegheny County. Nationally, Upper St. Clair ranks 444th out of 23,265 high schools in the nation – among the top two percent.

    “I am so happy for our students and teachers to be recognized for their hard work and achievement,” Dr. Louis Angelo, high school principal said. “The caring partnership between our students and teachers encourages greater teamwork and commitment to learning.”

    According to the U.S. News & World Report’s website, “the Best High Schools rankings include data on more than 23,000 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. More than 17,000 schools were ranked on six factors based on their performance on state assessments and how well they prepare students for college.”

    The methodology for determining rankings is comprised of the following:

    • College Readiness, 30 percent: The proportions of 12th graders who took and passed at least one Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exam. Passing is worth three times more than just taking.
    • Math and Reading Proficiency, 20 percent: Aggregated scores on state assessments that students may be required to pass for graduation.
    • Math and Reading Performance, 20 percent: How aggregated scores on state assessments compare to U.S. News's expectations given the proportions of students who are black, Hispanic and from low-income households.
    • Underserved Student Performance, 10 percent: Scores on state assessments aggregated just among students who are black, Hispanic and from low-income households. These scores are compared to what is typical in the state for non-undeserved students, with parity or higher being the goal.
    • College Curriculum Breadth, 10 percent: The proportions of 12th graders who took and passed AP and IB exams in multiple areas. More exams are valued more than fewer exams up to a maximum of four. Passing an exam is worth three times more than taking.
    • Graduation Rate, 10 percent: The proportion of entering 9th graders who graduated four academic years later. 

    “We are honored to be listed among the best schools in the nation. Upper St. Clair High School – its educational program and school culture, the tenacity of its students and their families, along with a dedicated faculty and staff – does an outstanding job of preparing students for life beyond high school,” Dr. John T. Rozzo, superintendent of schools, said. “Whether their plans include college, trade school, the military or the workforce, our students are well prepared to meet their next challenge.”

    By sharing this information, officials at U.S. News & World Report hope that parents across the country will be armed with information to help them make better-informed decisions about their child's education.

    “The Best High Schools rankings identify the country's top-performing public high schools,” Robert Morse, chief data strategist for U.S. News & World Report, said. “The goal is to provide a clear, unbiased picture of how well public schools serve all of their students – from the highest to lowest achieving – in preparing them to demonstrate proficiency in basic skills as well as readiness for college-level work.”

    The first-ever list of the U.S. News Best High Schools was posted online on Nov. 30, 2007.

    “Since U.S. News & World Report’s editors believe high schools are among America’s most important institutions, adding the Best High Schools to the U.S. News rankings was a natural progression,” Mr. Morse said. “Education drives the country's future. Recognizing schools that are performing well and providing them as models to other schools will inspire educators and communities to do better.”