Classen School for Advanced Studies Ranked 17^th Best in the Nation by NEWSWEEK

Oklahoma City – For the second year in a row, OKCPS’s Classen School for Advanced Studies has made NEWSWEEK Magazine’s list of America’s best high schools. Classen S.A.S. at 1901 N. Ellison ranked number 17 of the list of the top 100 schools, up 64 spots from number 81 last year.

            The list is based on number of advanced placement tests taken by students compared to the number of graduates. At Classen S.A.S., students are offered an Advanced Placement (or AP) curriculum.

            “With our Best High Schools list, NEWSWEEK recognizes schools that do the best job of preparing average students for college, says Barbara Kantrowitz of NEWSWEEK. “By dividing the number of AP and IB tests taken at a school by the number of graduating seniors, we can measure how committed the school is to helping kids take college-level courses. We think kids at those schools have an edge, no matter their economic background.”

            “We are persistently trying to offer a challenging curriculum and give the students some benefit from that. If kids take the test and do well, then they can go to another level of course in college,” says Dr. Ron Maxfield, Principal at Classen S.A.S. “This ranking is proof Oklahoma City Public Schools provides a great education and shows people outside of Oklahoma we have something to offer.”

            The only other Oklahoma School to make the top 100 list was Tulsa’s Booker T. Washington at number 83.