December 3, 2007
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Kathryn Reith, Director of Communications |
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(425) 702-3342 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Redmond, Wash. – U.S. News & World Report magazine named International Community School, Kirkland, Wash., as one of the top 100 high schools in the nation in its first annual ranking of America’s best high schools. International Community School (ICS), at number 17, is the highest rated school in the state of Washington, according to the U.S. News & World Report criteria.
“I’m proud of the hard work our students and staff do,” noted Principal Cindy Duenas. “While it’s an honor to be included as one of the best high schools in America, it’s really a reflection of the high standards our students strive for every day with the support of their teachers.”
“This ICS ranking is a tribute to the hard work of teachers and students and the support of parents,” noted Lake Washington Superintendent Dr. Chip Kimball. “It’s due to the kind of quality work I see all over our district every day.”
ICS is a choice school in Lake Washington School District, meaning that students from throughout the district can apply to attend the school, which serves students in grades seven through 12. Entry is by lottery.
ICS began when parents and educators came together in 1997 to create and support a small, academically rigorous secondary education program with a focus on international awareness.
According to U.S. News & World Report, their rankings involve reviews of the schools’ performance on the reading and math portions of state standardized test. In the case of ICS, the test involved is the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL). Test scores for disadvantaged students, including low income, black and Hispanic students, are examined as well. Finally, the number of Advanced Placement tests passed by students is taken into account. In 2007, 100 percent of 10th graders at ICS met the standard for the WASL reading and math tests.
Lake Washington School District is the sixth largest district in the state of Washington. It has more than 23,000 students in 49 schools located in Kirkland, Redmond, and Sammamish, Washington.
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