Gatton Academy named America’s top high school for 2nd year in row

The Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky at WKU has been named America’s top high school by Newsweek magazine for the second straight year.

The America’s Best High Schools 2013 list recognized 2,000 high schools from across the United States. The Gatton Academy was ranked fifth in 2011 and first in 2012.

International Baccalaureate School at Bartow High (Florida), BASIS Scottsdale (Arizona), School of Science and Engineering Magnet (Dallas, Texas), and The School for the Talented and Gifted Magnet High School (Dallas, Texas) complete Newsweek’s top 5 schools.

Newsweek’s methodology for their rankings highlights schools that prepare students for college. Each school’s score comprises of six components: four-year, on-time graduation rate (25 percent), college matriculation rate (25 percent), Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) tests per student (25 percent), average SAT/ACT scores (10 percent), average AP or IB scores (10 percent), and percent of student enrolled in an AP course (5 percent).

Dr. Tim Gott, director of the Gatton Academy, noted that the Gatton Academy’s ranking validates the students of Kentucky.

“Our students represent nearly every city and county in the state and continue to demonstrate that they can contribute greatly on a national and international level,” Dr. Gott said. “This honor once again reveals what can happen when outstanding students are free to pursue the highest levels of academic challenge in an environment of support and encouragement. We celebrate this achievement with the entire Commonwealth.”

WKU President Gary Ransdell underscored significance of the ranking and the strategic role that WKU plays in the educational experiences of Gatton Academy students.

“Repeating an amazing achievement is usually more difficult than the original feat. So, to be the best high school in America two years running is very impressive,” Dr. Ransdell said.  “I am proud of the Gatton students who are all Kentuckians, of our WKU faculty, and the Gatton Academy staff for creating the intellectual means to make this happen.”

The Gatton Academy, which opened in 2007 and is funded by the Kentucky General Assembly, is the Commonwealth’s only state-supported residential high school with an emphasis in math and science.

Dr. Julia Roberts, executive director of the Gatton Academy, emphasized the unique relationship that the Gatton Academy has with school districts from across the state.

“The original vision for the Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science was to provide a statewide high school to extend the academic rigor of Kentucky high schools,” Dr. Roberts said. “I am proud that the Gatton Academy offers such rigorous academic opportunities for young people from schools across the Commonwealth.”

Contact: Chad Phillips, (270) 745-6565.