LSU Laboratory School Ranks to 10% of High Schools in U.S. News and World Report

The Louisiana State University Laboratory School has been recognized in the U. S. News & World Report’s list of America’s Best High Schools.  This list, compiled using a formula produced in collaboration with Standard & Poor’s School Evaluation Services (SES), is the first ever issued by the magazine. Its evaluation of 2005-2006 school year data included measurement of student performance on state testing with adjustments for student circumstances, the percentage of economically disadvantaged students, and the assessment of the school’s success in providing college-level coursework.

In the evaluation of nearly 19,000 high schools in 40 states, 33 Louisiana schools were selected. Other schools in the greater Baton Rouge area include Baton Rouge High School, Holden High School, and West Feliciana High School. 

The SES formula used Advanced Placement (AP) data as the benchmark for success and did not take into account International Baccalaureate offerings, which Newsweek’s Best High School’s ranking formula includes.  The Lab School offers a comprehensive IB Diploma program as well as 15 hours of concurrent enrollment courses through LSU.  Even excluding these factors, the Laboratory School ranked in the top 10% of the surveyed schools.  Considering that nearly 50% of the high school’s students engage in some type of IB course, and 90 students are scheduled to take college level courses this year through concurrent enrollment, the Laboratory School would undoubtedly rank much higher if these factors were included according to Wade Smith, Director of the University Laboratory School.   University High School enrollment stands at 408 students.  Dr. Smith adds,  “We are certainly pleased to be recognized for our high school’s academic achievement, and we are pleased to note this achievement was attained without taking into consideration either IB or concurrent enrollment, some of the most important academic opportunities we offer."

Albert Camburn, University High School Principal, reflects, “Ninety-two years ago University Laboratory School began with the belief that its main mission was academic excellence. The recognition by U. S. News & World Report as one of the best high schools in the United States is evidence that University High School maintains its commitment to that mission.

Dr. Camburn continues, “University High School is able to maintain its mission because of a long tradition of excellent faculties. Our faculty is a hard-working dedicated group of outstanding quality. They believe in high expectations, effort and outcome. They are the oil that makes University High School hum.”

For more information, contact Dr. Wade Smith at 578-3223.