Published April 27, 2017 at 10:02 a.m. 

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Dobyns-Bennett High School has been named by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Best High Schools in the United States again receiving a silver medal designation in the 2017 Best High Schools rankings.

The new Best High Schools rankings, which are available online here, are produced in conjunction with North Carolina-based research firm RTI International, using a four-step process to calculate rankings.

U.S. News has published detailed information on more than 28,000 public high schools, including school-specific data on enrollment, student ethnicity, location, school type and results of state assessments, as well as Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests. Using some of this data and a comprehensive methodology, schools were given a College Readiness Index score, with the top-scoring 6,000-plus schools receiving a gold, silver or bronze medal - and in the case of gold and silver schools, a national numerical ranking.

Dobyns-Bennett High School is ranked in the top seven (7) percent of all high schools nationally at #1,901 and earned a silver medal.

“We are extremely proud that Dobyns-Bennett has once again been recognized as one of America’s best high schools by U.S. News & World Report,” said Dr. Lyle Ailshie, Kingsport City Schools Superintendent.  “We certainly do not operate specifically to receive such honors. However, it is a strong indicator that KCS is not only among the best in the United States, but also on a successful path of being world-class.”

Results of AP assessments factor into this national ranking. Approximately 816 Advanced Placement tests were administered to D-B students in 2016. The number of seniors graduating from D-B in 2016 was 519.

Seventy-four (74) percent of Dobyns-Bennett High School students who completed an AP test scored at least a three (3) or above. An AP exam score ranging from a three (3) to a five (5) qualifies students for college credit in the subject area.

“Receiving this recognition is a celebration of a culture of high expectations, a belief that all students can learn and succeed and a commitment from everyone to always go the extra mile,” said Dr. Chris Hampton, Dobyns-Bennett High School Principal. “It is an honor to work with students who push themselves to constantly improve and to work with a faculty who go above and beyond in supporting those students. Those factors are significant in isolation but both special and powerful when combined.” 

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, a high school program of choice and an alternative learning program; with total enrollment over 7,500 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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