C.R., I.C. high schools recognized in rankings for challenging their students

Two Cedar Rapids high schools and one in Iowa City are being recognized for being in the top 3 percent of high schools in America when it comes to challenging their students.

Cedar Rapids Washington and Kennedy placed 660th and 689th, respectively, out of 2,396 schools ranked by the Washington Post.

Iowa City High ranked 1,491, and Ames High School ranked 1,714.

Those were the only four Iowa high schools out of the state's 700 to make the list.

The list, released each year, is based on the ratio of seniors taking Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Advanced International Certificate of Education tests.

The 2017 ranking is based on statistics from the previous academic year.

Cedar Rapids Superintendent Brad Buck lauded the high schools' achievement.

'We continue to be proud of our high schools and look forward to defining additional ways in which we demonstrate their ongoing success,” he said.

With both high schools qualifying for the list since 2000, Washington maintains an average ACT score of 23.5. However, the high school's ranking has moved down on the list compared to last year. Kennedy has moved up in placement, boasting an average ACT score of 24.4 and offering 34 AP courses.

City High Principal John Bacon said he was pleased with the recognition, adding the school has worked hard to grow its Advanced Placement program and increase its diversity to reflect the diversity of the school.

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