GHS Named One of Country's 'Most Challenging High Schools'

For the eighth straight year, Greendale High School is included in the Washington Post's list of most challenging high schools in the nation.

The list ranks schools according to a "Challenge Index," which divides the number of Advanced Placement and other college-level tests given at a school by the number of that school's graduating seniors.

High schools ratio with of at least 1.000, meaning they had as many tests in 2012 as they had graduates, generally were put on the national list, according to the Post. The ratio is seen an indicator of how well a school prepares students for college.

About 9 percent of the roughly 22,000 public U.S. high schools made the list this year, wrote Post columnist Jay Mathews, who compiles the list.

"Greendale has a long tradition of excellence and the community has an expectation that our students will do well," GHS Principal Steve Lodes said in a news release. "This success is a part of our culture and I am pleased that once again our teachers and students have been recognized among the best in the country."

Added Superintendent John Tharp: "The Greendale schools' strong foundation of achievement is something for the entire district to take pride in. Being included on the Washington Post list of top public schools in the country repeatedly shows the commitment of students, families, teachers, and administrators in making education a priority for all youth here."