La Cañada High School has received new confirmation of its solid academic standing, with U.S. News & World Report placing the institution eighth among all high schools in the Los Angeles area. The publication’s recent Best High Schools rankings also list LCHS in 25th place in California and 210th nationwide.
Meanwhile, La Cañada Elementary School ranked 45th in U.S. News’ listing of California elementary schools, while Palm Crest Elementary stands 86th and Paradise Canyon Elementary is 132nd. LCHS 7/8 came in at No. 23 in the ranking of California middle schools.
U.S. News evaluates nearly 18,000 public high schools across the country, using criteria that include college readiness, the breadth of Advanced Placement course offerings, performance on state assessments and graduation rates. The 99% graduation rate at LCHS — which has 1,351 students — and the fact that 70% of students pass at least one AP exam are among the indicators of the school’s academic excellence.
Unlike LCHS, many of the top-ranked schools in the Los Angeles metro area are not comprehensive high schools with open enrollment, but rather specialized programs or schools with selective admissions processes, the La Cañada Unified School District noted. In fact, five of the top eight high schools in the L.A. area fall into this category. Among open-enrollment comprehensive high schools, the LCUSD asserts, LCHS is the No. 1 general admission high school in the Los Angeles area, and No. 8 in the state.
“We are immensely proud of all the incredible schools, talented educators, and dedicated staff within the La Cañada Unified School District. However, the recognition earned by La Cañada High School 9-12 in the prestigious U.S. News & World Report rankings is truly deserving of special commendation,” said LCUSD Superintendent Wendy Sinnette.
“While this national ranking is just one measure we use to assess our progress, it carries significant weight and visibility,” she added. “On behalf of the entire district, I want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the students, teachers and administrators of La Cañada High School 9-12 for this outstanding achievement. Your unwavering commitment to academic excellence has once again placed your school among the very best in the region and the nation.”
For more information, visit usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/california/districts/la-canada-unified-school-district/la-canada-high-school-2421.
First published in the May 9 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
