High school captures US News honors again

Hollis/Brookline High School has gone to the head of the class for the second year in a row, emerging as one of the three top high schools in New Hampshire, according to US News and World Report, which has published its annual list of the nation’s top high schools.

Hollis/Brookline was named a silver medal recipient, as were high schools in Contoocook and Bethlehem. There were four levels of awards: gold, silver, bronze and honorable mention.

The magazine looked at 21,000 high schools across the country, designating 100 as Gold Medal Schools, including three in New England, but none in New Hampshire, 500 as Silver Medal Schools, including 57 in New England, and 1,300 Bronze Medal Schools, including 12 in New Hampshire.

Ranking was based on how well a high school serves all of its students and how well it prepares students for college-level work. Some of the criteria used in testing included state tests, advanced placement exam results, and graduation rate.

“It’s a nice recognition. It reflects well on the entire SAU,” principal Tim Kelley said. “We have a great staff working with students, and they (students) come in well-prepared and we build on that.”

Kelley said the school was holding an academic recognition program Tuesday in the gym to honor students who have distinguished themselves academically, National Merit Scholars, students with perfect SAT scores, All-State musicians, and others.