Recently, the U.S. News and World Report released the ratings of the top high schools in the nation and Amador excelled! The rankings are based on the college readiness, math and reading proficiency, and college prep curriculum of the attending students.

This years number one school in the nation comes from South Carolina, Academic Magnet High School. The number one school in California is Gretchen Witney High School from Cerrito.

Compiled from the rankings of the top California high schools, the best Bay Area schools comes from all over the South and East Bay. Local league partners Dougherty Valley High School placed number 8 in the bay and number 20 in California, upholding its past of academic excellence. Amador placed number 15 in the Bay Area, coming out as number 36 in California!

Amador students smiled with excitement when hearing the news, “It’s really great how we’ve improved and I’m proud to be a don!” shared Sarah-Rose Nicholson (‘22).

Amador achieved this title based on many academic factors. The U.S. News and World Report reported that the AP® participation rate at Amador Valley High is 71%, with 67% passing at least one exam. With a total minority enrollment is 51%, we also have a graduation rate of 97% which is well above the state median. On the U.S. News Scorecard our mathematics proficiency is at 76% and our reading proficiency lies at 90%. In terms of college readiness, Amador lies on the index ranked number 335 in the nation. On the national Smarter Balanced test Amador places at the 98.3% percentile, stated as Well Above Expectations relative to U.S. News Expectations. Overall, on the U.S. News and World Reports total scoring system, Amador earned a 98.36 out of 100.

Amador Senior Sean Carrick (‘19) shared his opinion, “I think a lot of people don’t realize that Amador is a lot more academically advanced than other California schools and I think it’s notable that our students perform so well.”

Our biggest rivals, the falcons, did not even place on the list. What does this mean for Pleasanton Unified School District? A lot of excitement for Amadors achievements and questions from students, parents, and teachers alike over the difference in educational institutes only 4 miles apart.