3 South Bay Schools Among Top Schools in California

CARSON, CA - Three South Bay High Schools are among the top 25 schools in the state, according to rankings released Tuesday by U.S. News & World Report.

California Academy of Mathematics and Science in Carson ranked 10th in California and 100th nationally, with a college readiness index of 82.5.

Hawthorne Math and Science Academy and Lennox Mathematics, Science and Technology Academy were ranked 12th and 13th (103rd and 106th in the nation), respectively

In all, 10 high schools in California rank in the top 100 nationwide and an impressive 84 schools fall within the top 500.

The report includes information about curriculum, test scores and student demographics.

The rankings were based on language and math proficiency tests; whether black, Hispanic and low-income students performed better than their peers in their states; and, for the first time, graduation rates.

"A high school education is imperative for success in both college and a career, and a school's graduation rate is a key indicator of whether students are being effectively prepared for both paths," said Anita Narayan, managing editor of education at U.S. News. "The 2016 Best High Schools rankings provide students and parents with data-driven information on public schools to help them make better-informed decisions about their education."

The college readiness index was based on the percentage of students who participated in advanced placement or international baccalaureate programs.

U.S. News & World Report ranked the School for the Talented and Gifted in Dallas as tops in the U.S. for the fifth year in a row.

--City News Service and Patch Editor Renee Schiavone contributed to this report