By Nick Block
Staff Writer
Last week, the monthly magazine U.S. News and World Report ranked Mira Costa among the top 100 high schools in the United States for student performance and participation in math and science.
Rankings were chosen primarily based on Advanced Placement test scores in math and science courses. Although 600 schools were judged on that criteria, only 208 schools advanced further in the ranking process. Each of the 208 schools received a Silver or Gold Medal or an Honorable Mention.
“It makes me proud that we are a top- achieving school,” math teacher William Emhof said. “This ranking adds to Mira Costa’s image as a distinguished school.”
This was the first ranking of science, technology, engineering and math schools by U.S. News and World Report. Mira Costa ranked 90th, which earned the school a Silver Medal and made it the 18th-ranked California high school. Although Palos Verdes Peninsula High School and Oxford Academy in Anaheim were ranked higher, students believe this achievement will enhance Mira Costa’s reputation.
“This will have a positive effect on the way colleges view Mira Costa,” senior Michael McPherson said. “There is no question that we have strong math and science departments with teachers who take an interest in their students’ success.”
The schools ranked the highest in the U.S. News and World Report rankings achieved their stature based on the relative number of students who took and passed AP tests in May.
Some Mira Costa students believe that their AP teachers are very effective in preparing them for their students AP test and college lecture environments.
“My teachers prepared me well and held several study sessions which helped with reviewing and understanding the AP test,” senior Raquel Doke said.
U.S. News and World Report evaluates and ranks many different institutions throughout the United States. These ranking topics include high schools, undergraduate universities, post-graduate universities and hospitals. District members hope that this ranking will serve to solidify Costa’s reputation as a top-tier school.
“While many schools go under the radar, I believe that UC colleges will look at this ranking and make the admission process from Mira Costa easier,” Emhof said.
Student participation in AP classes increases Mira Costa’s ranking. Many AP teachers use the majority of class time to prepare students for the AP test. In doing so, these teachers challenge their students to think critically and to understand the material. They believe that this approach of analyzing helps lead to higher scores on the AP test.
“I would expect nothing more from my students,” science teacher Jonathon Lewis said. “I try to make sure that students use critical thinking skills to succeed.”
Mira Costa offers a wide selection of AP courses in the sciences and math department like AP environmental science, AP physics and AP calculus, in which a large number of students participate.
“Mira Costa has many subsets of algebra and a science lab where a designated person is there to help,” Principal Ben Dale said. “Although we want to be number one, this ranking reaffirms our philosophy about giving students the options they need to excel in the future.”
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