Three UCS high schools top list of state's most academically challenging

Three Utica Community Schools high schools have been honored as being among the most challenging in Michigan, including one recognized as the state’s top school.

The Utica Academy for International Studies (UAIS), Eisenhower High School and Stevenson High School have been named three of the Most Academically Challenging High Schools by The Washington Post.

For the fourth straight year, UAIS was ranked the state’s most challenging high school and second in the Midwest.

Eisenhower High School was ranked 32 and Stevenson was listed as 37 in Michigan.

The Washington Post Challenge Index identifies programs and schools based on student participation in rigorous academic programs, such as Advanced Placement programs through the College Board and courses authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization.

The formula is based on the number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Advanced International Certificate of Education tests given at a school each year, divided by the number of seniors who graduated that year.

“This achievement recognizes our continued work to provide our students with more access to rigorous programs,” superintendent Dr. Christine Johns said. “Even as important, we have been able to increase the number of students taking advantage of rigorous offerings and still maintain a strong level of achievement in our district.”

In Advanced Placement, the number of exams taken by UCS students has nearly tripled over the past ten years. Approximately 63 percent of the students taking the test earn a college-level score of three or higher – nearly 20 points more than the national average.

For more information on the Challenge Index and Michigan’s rankings, please see this link.