Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond High School has been recognized in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools rankings, earning a ranking of 409th among high schools in Illinois and 12,070th nationally. Listed below are the top 25 of the area schools.
Urbana Uni: 7th in state, 162nd nationally
Mahomet-Seymour: 63rd in state, 1,343rd nationally
Champaign Central: 118th in state, 2,861st nationally
Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley: 126th in state, 3,143rd nationally
Monticello: 139th in state, 3,440th nationally
Centennial: 149th in state, 3,857th nationally
Mount Zion: 154th in state, 3,902nd nationally
Unity: 159th in state, 4,074th nationally
Paxton-Buckley-Loda: 161st in state, 4,131st nationally
Urbana: 184th in state, 4,682nd nationally
St. Joseph-Ogden: 194th in state, 4,937th nationally
Maroa-Forsyth: 251st in state, 6,704th nationally
Fisher: 269th in state, 7,402nd nationally
Sullivan: 274th in state, 7,561st nationally
Rantoul: 303rd in state, 8,682nd nationally
Watseka: 311th in state, 8,974th nationally
Warrensburg-Latham: 322nd in state, 9,485th nationally
Milford: 345th in state, 10,088th nationally
Oakwood: 404th in state, 11,918th nationally
Blue Ridge: 407th in state, 12,051st nationally
Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond High School: 409th in state, 12,070th nationally
Clinton: 420th in state, 12,340th nationally
Villa Grove: 423rd in state, 12,380th nationally
Oakland: 433rd in state, 12,699th nationally
Iroquois West: 440th in state, 12,817th nationally
While rankings are only one way to look at a school, this recognition provides an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of our students, teachers, staff, families, and communities. Every day, our students are challenged to grow academically, prepare for their futures, and make meaningful contributions to our school and communities and our students continue to raise the bar. This recognition is a reflection of that collective effort.
How the U.S. News Rankings Are Calculated
The U.S. News Best High Schools rankings are based on a comprehensive analysis of academic performance and college readiness. Rather than relying on a single measure, U.S. News evaluates schools using several indicators designed to assess how effectively schools are preparing students for success after high school.
The current ranking considers six primary areas:
College readiness – 30%: Measures the extent to which students participate in and succeed in college-level coursework, including Advanced Placement and other college-preparatory opportunities.
State assessment proficiency – 20%: Considers how well students perform on state-required assessments.
State assessment performance – 20%: Examines student performance in relation to expectations and other schools.
College curriculum breadth – 10%: Looks at the range of college-level and advanced coursework available to students.
Underserved student performance – 10%: Considers the academic performance of historically underserved student groups.
Graduation rate – 10%: Recognizes schools for successfully supporting students through graduation.
Taken together, these measures are intended to provide a broader picture of academic achievement and college preparation than any single test score or statistic can provide.
A Strong Showing Among Area Schools
ALAH HS recognition places the school among the top 25 high schools identified in the surrounding area. In the regional comparison, ALAH HS ranks 21st, ahead of several other area high schools. For a small, rural school district like Arthur CUSD 305, being included among the state's recognized high schools is an accomplishment worth celebrating. At the same time, we know that the quality of a school cannot be completely captured by a ranking.
More Than a Number
We are very grateful for the recognition, but a number on a national list does not tell the whole story. The relationships between students and teachers, the dedication of our staff, the support provided by families, the opportunities available through athletics and activities, or the many ways our students contribute to their school and communities cannot be measured.
What the ranking does provide is an independent recognition of measurable academic outcomes and college-readiness indicators. We are proud that the work taking place at ALAH High School is being recognized on a statewide and national level.
Most importantly, this recognition belongs to our students, staff, and communities. Our students deserve tremendous credit for the effort they put into their education, and our teachers and staff deserve recognition for the high expectations, support, and opportunities they provide each day.
We also appreciate the continued support of our parents, families, Board of Education, and communities. A strong school is built through a shared commitment to students, and this recognition is a reflection of that commitment.
Mrs. Seegmiller shared her excitement regarding the report by saying, “I’m proud of this recognition, but I’m even more proud of the people behind it. Our teachers and staff come to work every day believing in our students, building relationships, holding them to high expectations, and doing the work to help them succeed. This recognition is a reflection of the people who are in the trenches with our students every single day.”
As we celebrate this accomplishment, our focus remains where it has always been: providing every ALAH HS student with the knowledge, skills, opportunities, and support they need to pursue their goals and succeed in whatever comes next.
We are proud of our students, staff, and communities. Go Knights!