Only 500 public high schools were included on the Newsweek America’s Top High Schools 2016: Beating the Odds list out of more than 24,500 public high schools in the country. The “Beating the Odds” list seeks to identify schools that do an excellent job of preparing their students for college while effectively supporting students facing challenges such as economic disadvantages.

Newsweek collaborated with Westate to produce the 2016 rankings. Each year, the methodology has been fine-tuned slightly, but stayed true to the following factors that have proven to be the best indicators of college readiness: graduation rates, participation in college-level classes via Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, and acceptance into a two- or four-year college.

All data submitted was from the 2014-2015 school year. Schools are ranked in two (2) steps: Threshold Analysis: a high school achievement index is created based on performance indicators (i.e., proficiency rates on state standardized assessments) using data reported by states to EDFacts at the U.S. Department of Education. Ranking Analysis: schools are then surveyed that meet the threshold criteria to obtain in-depth data on the following college readiness indicators: Number of counselor FTE; college acceptance and enrollment; SAT and ACT participation and performance; AP/IB/AICE participation and performance, and dual enrollments. The equity analysis was dropped for the 2016 rankings due to limitations in the EDfacts data. Review the full methodology.

Dobyns-Bennett High School is ranked 316 among the 500 U.S. High Schools.

“We are extremely proud that Dobyns-Bennett has once again been recognized as one of America’s top high schools in the nation by Newsweek magazine,” said Dr. Lyle Ailshie, Kingsport City Schools Superintendent. “I believe this recognition is a true testament of the hard work of our students, faculty and staff. Providing the opportunity for all students, regardless of economic status, to have a world education and prepare to be successful in college is of the upmost importance.”

This is the ninth time D-B has been named to a Newsweek Top High School list. The lists were published in 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013 and now 2016. In 2014 The Daily Beast published their own listing. Nine (9) Tennessee schools were ranked on the 2016 listing. Complete listing of the 500.

Kingsport City Schools (KCS) is a public school district located in Kingsport, Tenn., serving students in Sullivan and Hawkins county. The district is comprised of 13 schools, including a Pre-K, eight elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school and a non-traditional school; with total enrollment over 7,300 students. The vision of Kingsport City Schools is to be, Student Focused … World Class.

KCS has been named the top school district in Tennessee as winner of the 2014 SCORE Prize District Award by the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) and has earned the 2014 Achievement Award in the annual Excellence in Tennessee Recognition Program by the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence (TNCPE).

For more information on KCS, visit k12k.com, listen live on WCSK 90.3 FM, The Voice of KCS, read our blog, We Are KCS, or call (423) 378.2100. We’re social too; follow us on Facebook (Kingsport City Schools), Twitter (@KCS_District) and check out our YouTube Channel (KPTSchools).

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