Where can you find six of the nation’s best high schools? Right in our own backyard. Newsweek magazine just released its list of the top 1,500 public high schools in the United States and six Virginia Beach high schools are on it. Ranked among the top six percent of schools in the country are:

Newsweek’s “Top of the Class” list was determined by using a ratio, the number of Advanced Placement (AP) and/or International Baccalaureate (IB) tests taken by all students at the school in 2007-2008, divided by the school’s total number of graduates. Newsweek researchers contend that this is an effective way to measure student readiness for higher education; however, it is by no means the only measurement.

“This national recognition is a testament to the hard work of our students, teachers, and staff, “ said Superintendent Dr. James G. Merrill. “There is no doubt that if researchers examined the rigor of the curriculum, the levels of parent and community engagement, and the quality of the staff in our schools, in addition to AP and IB tests - every one of our high schools would be listed among the best.”

This is the fourth consecutive year that Princess Anne, Cox, Ocean Lakes and First Colonial high schools have appeared on Newsweek’s list of top schools. Rankings are subject to change on the Newsweek Web site as additional schools submit requests for inclusion on the list.

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