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By Teresa Thomas For the Tidings May 12. 2015 8:24PM Ashland High School again earns national honors Ashland and South Medford high schools once again earned a place among the nation’s top public high schools, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2015 analysis. The magazine ranked 19,753 of the 29,070 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia based on academic achievement on state proficiency tests, outcomes among disadvantaged students and college and career readiness. (The high schools not included in the survey were deemed too small to be fairly evaluated.) According to the analysis, released Monday, a high school is considered one of the best when it serves all students well and produces “measurable academic outcomes to show it is successfully educating its student body across a range of performance indicators.” Of the schools surveyed, AHS and SMHS placed 2,014 and 2,189, respectively, earning AHS its sixth silver medal and SMHS its second silver medal. Nationwide, 2.5 percent of the eligible high schools were awarded gold medals, 10.3 percent were awarded silver medals and 20.2 percent were awarded bronze medals. In Oregon, 114 of 325 high schools were awarded medals, including three gold, 25 silver and 86 bronze.  AHS ranked No. 19 in the state and SMHS came in at No. 23. U.S. News, in collaboration with RTI International, a global research firm, calculated the rankings using a methodology that includes looking at students' reading and math scores on state proficiency tests, factoring in the number of economically disadvantaged students, assessing how well minority students performed and measuring Advanced Placement participation and scores among seniors. “This recognition means a great deal,” said AHS Principal Michelle Zundel in an email. “The U.S. News and World Report methodology requires that schools get results for the most vulnerable student populations in order to even be considered. It is a tribute to the engagement of our students, the hard work of our teachers and staff, and the support of our families and community.” Reach education reporter Teresa Thomas at 541-776-4497 or [email protected] . Follow her at www.twitter.com/teresathomas_mt . http://www.dailytidings.com/article/20150512/news/150519918 © 2016 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->