Two schools in the Middlesex County Vocational and Technical School District received gold-medal status in U.S. News and World Report’s 2014 ranking of the best public high schools in the United States.
The Middlesex County Academy for Science, Mathematics and Engineering Technologies in Edison received a gold medal for the second consecutive year, ranking fourth among New Jersey high schools and 107th nationally. Last year, the Edison Academy was sixth in New Jersey and 146th in the nation.
The Middlesex County Academy for Allied Health and Biomedical Sciences in Woodbridge received gold-medal recognition for the first time. It was ranked 23rd among New Jersey high schools and 398th nationally. Last year, it received bronze-medal status.
“It’s always encouraging to receive external validation of the quality and effectiveness of our two academies,” Superintendent of Schools Brian J. Loughlin said. “Congratulations to the students and staff for their outstanding accomplishments.”
For the 2014 edition of Best High Schools, U.S. News and World Report profiled more than 19,400 high schools across the country. Schools were ranked using results of state assessment proficiency tests and Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests. U.S. News gave each eligible school a College Readiness Index score, and then numerically ranked and awarded gold, silver and bronze medals. This year 500 high schools earned gold medals. Both county academies scored 100 percent proficiency on state assessment tests in math and language arts.
The Middlesex County Vocational and Technical School District, the first county vocational school district in the nation, has seven schools on five campuses, in East Brunswick, Edison, Piscataway, Perth Amboy and Woodbridge. The Edison Academy was named a National Blue Ribbon School last September in recognition of its high-achieving students. The Perth Amboy Campus was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2012. The district is celebrating its centennial this year.