Each year, Newsweek picks the best high schools in the country based on how hard school staffs work to challenge students with advanced placement college-level courses and tests. Just over 1600 schools—only six percent of all the public schools in the U.S.—made the list. To see the full list of America's Best High Schools, click here. Two high schools from Bellevue Washington garnered a top 20 ranking.
# 13 Interlake, Bellevue, Wash.
One of two top 20 schools located in Bellevue (the other is International School at No. 20), IHS saw the first class from its Gifted High School Program graduate this spring. Students from this program completed the IB diploma program in grades 10 and 11, leaving the senior year for Bellevue College courses taught at Interlake by Bellevue College instructors, additional advanced coursework, and a year-long internship program. Seventy-two percent of AP students scored a three or above and eighty-seven percent of IB students scored a 4 or above on exams taken in 2009.
Schools our students are most likely to attend: University of Washington; Bellevue College; Seattle University; Seattle Pacific University; and Western Washington University
#20 International School, Bellevue, Wash.
Former Bellevue superintendent Mike Riley, who passed away in 2008, was a strong proponent of AP courses and drastically increased the number of students taking Advanced Placement courses throughout the district. A shot of the school's exterior, taken by junior Jeffrey Sitthi, an aspiring photographer, shows International's range of student talent, in both academics and arts.
Top five colleges most often attended by graduates: University of Washington; Western Washington University; Gonzaga University; Whitman College; Seattle Pacific University
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