Kentucky assesses high school students with end-of-course exams in English II, Algebra II, biology and U.S. history. High school graduation requirements in Kentucky call for a minimum of 22 credits earned, including the completion of a course on the history and appreciation of visual and performing arts. Learn more from the Kentucky Department of Education.
Among the 2017 U.S. News Best High Schools in Kentucky, there are four gold medal schools, 35 silver medal schools and 47 bronze medal schools. One of Kentucky’s highly ranked high schools is Dupont Manual High, located in Louisville, in the Jefferson County School District, roughly 50 miles from Frankfort, the state capital.
How We Determine the Awards
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STEP 1 | Students perform better than expected in their state.
We looked at reading and math results for students on each state’s proficiency tests and then factored in the percentage of economically disadvantaged students, who tend to score lower.
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STEP 2 | Disadvantaged students perform better than state average.
We compared each school’s math and reading proficiency rates for disadvantaged students – black, Hispanic and low-income – with the statewide results for these student groups and then selected schools that were performing better than their state averages.
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STEP 3 | Student graduation rates meet or exceed a national standard
We excluded schools from consideration if their graduation rates were lower than 75 percent – a threshold that is higher than a federal law that requires states to give extra resources to schools below 67 percent.
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STEP 4 | Students are prepared for college-level coursework.
We calculated a College Readiness Index, which is based on the school’s AP participation rate and how well the students did on those tests. Tiebeakers were used to determine ranks of schools that achieved the same College Readiness Index.
Here are the Lakes Area schools that are ranked in the top-50 in the state, according to USNWR:
Murray High School – #10
McCracken County High School – #24
Hopkinsville High School – #30
Henderson County High School – #31
Madisonville-North Hopkins – #33
Marshall County High School – #37
Mayfield High School – #40
Calloway County High School – #45