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Bellwood-Antis High School has earned its seventh bronze star from the U.S. News & World Report in its annual rankings of high schools in America.

U.S. News & World Report joined forces with the American Institutes for Research, a D.C. based organization, to evaluate schools on overall student performance on state-mandated assessments, as well as how effectively schools educated their black, Hispanic and economically disadvantaged students. Performance on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams was then used to determine the degree to which schools prepare students for college-level work.

At Bellwood Antis High School, students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement course work and exams. The AP participation rate at Bellwood Antis High School is 6 percent. The student body makeup is 52 percent male and 48 percent female, and the total minority enrollment is 1 percent.

Schools were ranked within each state, as well as on a national stage, so families can see how their public high school stacked up against rivals within the community and across the country. In the national rankings, 500 schools earned gold medals, 1,790 were awarded silver and 2,515 took home bronze.

In 11th grade, Pennsylvania high school students take assessments in reading, writing, math and science, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Taking this into account schools are awarded rankings based on the scores of their students on these exams.

Out of 102 students who took Pennsylvania’s tests last year, 38 percent were advanced in reading proficiency and 31 percent we proficient. In math, 40 percent were advanced and 31 percent were proficient.

When asked about the award, High School Principal Lisa Hartsock said, “I am very proud of the students, staff, and the parents of the school. I am proud not only of the high school students, but also of all of the students district-wide. It takes continuous academic growth across all of the grades in order to receive recognition as one of the best schools in the country.”

B-A Superintendent Dr. Brian Toth added, “It’s such a great honor to have been awarded the Bronze Award from U.S. News & World Report. This award is not only for the school, it’s for the students, the staff, and the administration who have worked really hard toward this goal. It hasn’t been easy work, but it’s really paid off. We should all be proud of the work we have done, and all we have achieved as a whole.”