"In this age of greater accountability and increased instructional rigor, it is gratifying that so many of our high schools continue to be ranked among the nation's best," said Superintendent Dr. Joe A. Hairston. "As Baltimore County's high schools continue to be well represented on this list year after year, it becomes clear that our efforts to expand educational opportunities for every student, as guided by our Blueprint for Progress, have met with success."

The top high schools list is based on an index which divides the number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and/or Cambridge tests taken by all students at a school in 2008 by the number of graduating seniors at that school.

"The number of students participating in Advanced Placement courses in a school is a solid indicator of overall academic quality," said Superintendent Hairston. "To take and be successful in an Advanced Placement course, students must have strong preparation in earlier coursework and must be part of a school community that expects high academic achievement."

In 1992-1993, the AP participation rate for Baltimore County Public Schools was about 2%; now it is 11.5%. Typically, school systems expect pass rates to decline when larger numbers of students are encouraged to take highly rigorous Advanced Placement courses. The Baltimore County Public Schools pass rate, which is about 69%, remains above the global AP pass rate of 60%.

Several major systemwide initiatives encourage all Baltimore County Public Schools students to prepare for college, among them a partnership with the College Board (best known for its SAT and AP programs) and AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), which is designed to accelerate the academic progress of underachieving students and students from low-income families.

Together with the Baltimore County Board of Education, Superintendent Hairston has included expansion of both Advanced Placement offerings and strategies such as AVID as priorities over the past several years.

All Baltimore County Public Schools middle and high school students benefit from the school system's comprehensive partnership with the College Board. Some students experience the partnership first through CollegeEd®, an academic and career advisory program for the 7th through 12th grades that prepares students and their families for college.

Still more students benefit from preparation in the eighth grade for the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which supports students, parents, and schools with early college preparation and planning. Then all Baltimore County Public Schools ninth and tenth grade students take the PSAT/NMSQT free of charge. The results of that exam help identify students for Advanced Placement (college level) coursework (through AP Potential) and other higher level coursework, and the results help support the schools in better preparing students for college success.

Through the partnership with the College Board, every Baltimore County Public Schools' high school has The Official SAT Online CourseTM, and each high school student has access to the program free of charge - at school or at home.

Another key initiative, AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), is currently in every Baltimore County high school.

According to Superintendent Hairston, "AVID enhances the performance of students and school staff and raises expectations for every student. This program provides structure that supports and strengthens what every good school should be doing: identifying and encouraging student potential; building positive relationships between teachers and students; supporting teachers through professional development; challenging students to take on increasingly rigorous coursework; and introducing each student to a world of greater opportunity and possibility."

The key components of AVID in BCPS are: a daily AVID elective class focused on writing, inquiry, collaboration, and reading; rigorous courses and critical thinking skills; focus on organizational and management skills (Cornell Notes and organized notebooks); college preparation and tours; PSAT/SAT training and practice; paid AVID-trained college tutors from Civic Works, an AmeriCorps program; continuous professional development for school staff; and career goal planning.

Data shows that in Baltimore County schools AVID improves attendance, increases student participation in highly rigorous courses (such as Gifted and Talented, Honors, International Baccalaureate, and Advanced Placement), increases PSAT participation, and increases High School Assessment pass rates - in algebra, biology, government, and English.

The complete list of Newsweek's top high schools may be found at http://www.newsweek.com/id/201160.

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