4 Saddleback Valley Schools Makes U.S. News' 2016 Best High Schools

MISSION VIEJO, CA Four Saddleback Valley Unified high schools received silver medals in the U.S. News & World Report 'Best High Schools' ranking.

Laguna Hills High, Mission Viejo High, Trabuco Hills High, and El Toro High all earned silver medals while Silverado High and Mira Monte High went unranked.

The four schools were singled out because of the opportunities their students have to take Advanced Placement courses. At Laguna Hills, 41 percent of students enrolled in advanced placement classes, Mission Viejo had 32 percent, Trabuco had 31 percent and El Toro had 29 percent.

"The U.S. News rankings include data on more than 21,000 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia," states U.S. News & World Report. "Schools were awarded gold, silver or bronze medals based on their performance on state assessments, their graduation rates and how well they prepare students for college."

The report includes information about curriculum, test scores and student demographics. You can read the full methodology here.

Here are the Saddleback Valley Unified school rankings statewide, along with their corresponding national rank (in parentheses):

• 256 (1,457) Laguna Hills High in Laguna Hills
• 358 (1,903) Mission Viejo High in Mission Viejo
• 368 (1,946) Trabuco Hills High in Mission Viejo
• 398 (2,091) El Toro High in Lake Forest