The US News and Weekly Report released its high school rankings report this week, and locally, the rankings showed a new district in the top spot for the Cadillac area.
Local school rankings ranged from 109th to 480 to 673rd in Michigan, with McBain High School topping the list locally and several local high schools closer to the bottom. Last year, McBain High School was ranked 234th in Michigan and 6,985 in the national rankings.
McBain Superintendent Scott Akom said the jump his district had from last year in the state and national rankings is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the high school students, teachers, staff and the wider community. He also said it reflects the district’s commitment to academic excellence and a supportive learning environment.
“These rankings validate our ongoing efforts to provide our students with the highest-quality education. We see this recognition as an opportunity to continue striving for excellence and inspire even greater future achievements,” Akom said. “I am very proud of our students and staff.”
The following are the national and statewide rankings for local public high schools in alphabetical order:
• Buckley High School was ranked 388th in Michigan and 11,122 in the national rankings. Buckley ranked fourth in the Cadillac area.
• Cadillac High School was ranked 136th in Michigan and 4,033 in the national rankings. Cadillac ranked second in the area.
• Evart High School was ranked 480 to 673rd within Michigan and 13,242 to 17,655 in the national rankings.
• Lake City High School was ranked 266th in Michigan and 7,769 in the national rankings. Lake City ranked third in the area.
• Manton High School was ranked 480 to 673rd within Michigan and 13,242 to 17,655 in the national rankings. Manton ranked fifth to seventh in the area.
• Marion Public Schools was ranked 478th within Michigan and 13,215 in the national rankings.
• McBain High School was ranked 109th in Michigan and 3,325 in the national rankings. McBain ranked first in the area.
• Mesick High School was ranked 480 to 673rd within Michigan and 13,242 to 17,655 in the national rankings. Mesick ranked fifth to seventh in the area.
• Pine River High School was ranked 480 to 673rd within Michigan and 13,242 to 17,655 in the national rankings.
• Reed City High School was ranked 480 to 673rd within Michigan and 13,242 to 17,655 in the national rankings.
• Cadillac Innovation High School was unranked.
Cadillac Area Public Schools Superintendent Jennifer Brown said the district’s ranking and recognition by the US News is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the high school’s students, staff and the entire Cadillac community.
“We are incredibly proud of the dedication and passion of our students, educators and support staff who strive for excellence every day,” she said. “This achievement reinforces our commitment to providing a high-quality education and preparing our students for success in career, college and beyond.”
This year’s iteration of US News and World Report’s 2024 Best High School rankings showed the top 15 schools were from 12 different states, demonstrating the best schools are not specific to any particular location or state. Michigan and California, however, were the only states with multiple schools in the top 15. Michigan had two, while California had three.
International Academy of Bloomfield Hills was ranked eighth nationally and No. 1 in Michigan, while the International Academy of Macomb was ranked 13th nationally and second in Michigan.
The methodology used in the report focused on six factors: college readiness, state assessment proficiency, state assessment performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth and graduation rates. College readiness measures participation and performance on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams, and underserved student performance focuses on students who are Black, Hispanic or from low-income households.
Using this methodology, schools earned an overall percentile score between 0 and 100 at two decimal places. Scores below the 25th percentile are listed with a ranking range rather than a numerical rank. Each percentile includes 177 schools, so small changes due to any factor can result in big moves within the rankings, according to the US News data team.
All of the data is collected from third-party sources. US News received AP and IB data directly from the College Board and International Baccalaureate, when applicable. The state assessment data and graduation rates are from each state, and other data comes from the U.S. Department of Education Common Core of Data.
US News also works with RTI International, a global nonprofit social science research firm, to assess and rank all eligible public high schools nationally, and also produces distinct high schools rankings of charter and magnet schools.