The Daily Beast, a leading online news site, has recognized the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts as one of the top high schools in the nation.
ASMSA is ranked No. 10 in the nation in The Daily Beast’s 2014 Survey of “America’s Top High Schools” which highlights the best 1,200 public high schools in the nation. The goal of the list is to identify the nation’s schools that best prepare students for college. This is the second time ASMSA has been ranked on the list; ASMSA was ranked No. 13 on the Newsweek/The Daily Beast joint list in 2013.
The list’s methodology used six indicators culled from surveys to compare schools, with graduation and college acceptance rates weighed most heavily. Other criteria included: college-level courses and exams, percentage of students with free or reduced lunch, as well as SAT and ACT scores.
ASMSA also is ranked No. 5 on the list’s top schools in the South. According to The Daily Beast website, schools in the South region made up almost half of the top 50 schools on the list, making it the most competitive region. ASMSA is the highest ranked school in Arkansas. One other Arkansas school, Haas Hall Academy in Fayetteville, made the top 25.
The Daily Beast released the list August 27. To read more about The Daily Beast 2014 America’s Top High Schools list, visit http://asmsa.me/tophs14.
“This recognition is a validation of the hard work put in by ASMSA teachers and students every day,” said Bob Gregory, dean of academic affairs at ASMSA. “The research opportunities and interactions with our talented faculty produce an exciting learning environment for our students. It is great to teach at a place where learning is valued and hard work is the norm.”
Corey Alderdice, ASMSA director, said the recognition in the America’s Top High Schools list is important for the school and for the state of Arkansas.
“Programs such as America’s Top High Schools underscore the importance of recognizing schools that cultivate talent and inspire learners,” Alderdice said. “Our community of learning at ASMSA is grateful for the support that makes this program possible. Great schools stem from innovation in curriculum, parental involvement, legislative support, public collaborations and a host of other traits that cannot be quantified.”
ASMSA is one of 16 residential, public high schools in the nation specializing in the education of academically talented students with an interest and aptitude in math and science. The Arkansas General Assembly established ASMSA in 1991 and opened for students in 1993.
Application is open to any sophomore in Arkansas. Students currently attending ASMSA hail from 59 of Arkansas’ 75 counties. Seventy-three of Arkansas’ 75 counties have been represented over the past five years.
The recognition in America’s Top High Schools is a reflection not only of the education students have received at ASMSA, but of the strong educational foundation students built in their home districts.
“At the core of its mission, ASMSA acts as an extension of the work of educators and administrators across Arkansas,” Alderdice said. “ASMSA and our students are able to celebrate this accomplishment through the preparation and experiences these talented young people have pursued at the elementary, middle and early high school level in their home districts.”
Editor's Note: ASMSA was ranked No. 8 on the list when it was first released. The ranking changed after The Daily Beast made corrections in its list.