Over A Dozen Baltimore County High Schools Rank Among Best In Nation

TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) -- Top honors for more than half of Baltimore County high schools. The schools made three national "Top Schools" lists.

Gigi Barnett reports 14 Baltimore County high schools ranked among the best in the nation.

Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report and the Washington Post all released their "Top Schools" lists in the last few weeks.

"Just like in English. You wouldn't say it's more good. You would say it's better quality," a teacher said.

Better quality, indeed, for students at Towson High. It made all three national rankings.

"It's cool to go to a school that has a really good education system without paying for it. So I don't have to go to all these private schools in this county," said Peter Deguzman, student.

It's cause to celebrate for County Executive Kevin Kamenentz, who says 53 percent of the county's budget goes to schools.

"We're putting the money in and the kids are producing. What a great recognition," said Kamenentz.

The magazines and newspaper ranked the schools based on college readiness, performance on state assessment tests and graduation rates.

Some students believe it's the teachers who make the difference.

"They really make sure we understand the material being taught to us. There are so many diverse cultures here and you just learn so much just by walking through the halls," said Isabel Townsend, student.

While school superintendent Dr. Dallas Dance is pleased with the rankings, he says there is more work to be done.

The country has 26 high schools altogether. Dance says the next step is to make sure the remaining high schools make the national rankings as well.

The schools were also graded based on SAT and Advanced Placement test results.

In addition to Towson High School, Catonsville High School, Dulaney High School, Eastern Technical High School, Franklin High School, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, Hereford High School, Loch Raven High School, Owings Mills High School, Parkville High School, Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts, Perry Hall High School, Pikesville High School and Western School of Technology and Environmental Science were also recognized.