For the seventh consecutive year, Hamilton High School was named to U.S. News & World Report “America’s Best High Schools” list. The ranking highlights the best public high schools in the nation after reviewing data from more than 17,000 high schools to identify how well public schools serve all of their students in preparing them in basic skills and readiness for college-level work. Schools were rated on reading and math proficiency and performance (40%), college readiness (30%), college curriculum breadth (10%), underserved student performance (10%) and graduation rate (10%).
Hamilton is ranked 18th among 462 Wisconsin public high schools and 824th among 17,857 U.S. public high schools – placing it in the top 5 percent of high schools in the state and country.
Hamilton Principal Becky Newcomer noted that Hamilton’s best ranking comes from its college readiness score, for which Hamilton was No. 14 in the state. College readiness is based on student achievement on state tests and Advanced Placement exams. Because the ACT exam is required, the college readiness score reflects the achievement of all students, not just those who go on to college after high school.
Newcomer also pointed to the school’s high math and reading proficiency on required state tests.
“That again speaks to the contributions of our entire student population and how we can celebrate that each student helps us to achieve this recognition,” she said.
The entire school district played an integral role in the high school’s acclaim, according to Newcomer.
“We would not be able to have such public recognition if it were not for our dedicated teachers from 4K-12, our supportive families and our community.” Newcomer said.