Ridgewood High School made the list of top Illinois schools in the U.S. News and World Report's 2017 ranking of "Best High Schools" in the nation. U.S. News considered 658 Illinois schools for the rankings. Ridgewood earned a silver medal based on all of the criteria.
The ranking methodology uses a multi-step process to determine rankings. The first three steps look to see whether the schools serve all their students well, using their performance on the math and reading parts of their state proficiency tests and graduation rates as benchmarks, the publication says on its website. The fourth step looks to the degree to schools prepare students for college-level work. The rankings were based on data compiled from the 2014-15 school year, the publication says.
"We are very excited to have such a ranking," said Ridgewood Superintendent Jennifer Kelsall. "It is a testament to the work our staff does to support the learning of all students. We strive to offer a plethora of opportunities for all students, and enrollment in AP courses is one such way we provide these opportunities. Our students are committed to their learning and expect to be challenged academically, regardless of course. We will continue offering AP courses while also seeking new ways to engage and challenge our students academically."
Chicago Tribune Coverage
US News & World Report