Three Tucson-area high schools are among the top 15 schools in the country.
Charter schools Basis Tucson North and Basis Oro Valley were ranked second and third respectively, while TUSD's University High School came in at No. 15 on the U.S. News & World Report 2017 Best High Schools Rankings list.
In addition, half of the top ten schools in the U.S. are in Arizona with Basis Scottsdale, Peoria and Chandler ranked first, fifth and seventh.
The list, published annually, looks at data on more than 22,000 schools. The rankings focus on student outcomes with an emphasis on graduation rates and state proficiency tests. Diversity, enrollment, participation in free and reduced-price lunch programs and Advance Placement are also considered.
“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.”
Basis Tucson North moved up from last year's third-place rank overall and got the No. 5 ranking for best STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) school. Its Oro Valley location went from sixth to third.
University High School moved up in rank from 24th last year.
Just over 2,600 schools made the list of 2017 Best High Schools. Other Tucson campuses included are:
- Presidio School, charter: No. 299
- Catalina Foothills High School, Catalina Foothills School District: No. 798
- Vail Academy and High School, Vail School District: No. 1,568
- Empire High School, Vail School District: No. 1,625
- Academy of Tucson High School, charter: No. 1,818
- Arizona College Prep Academy, charter: No. 1,911
- Ironwood Ridge High School, Amphitheater Unified School District: No. 1,943
- Sabino High School, TUSD: No. 1,950
- Canyon del Oro High School, Amphitheater Unified School District: No. 1,966
- Mountain View High School, Marana Unified District: No. 2,304
- Tanque Verde High School, Tanque Verde Unified School District: No. 2,524
U.S. News & Report also ranked states, with Maryland taking the No. 1 spot.
Arizona ranked 25th, up from 30th last year and took the top five rankings for best charter schools.
