Penn Manor High School is among the top third of high schools in Lancaster County in academics, according to a revised ranking system adopted by U.S. News & World Report.
Penn Manor was ranked sixth in Lancaster County among 18 public high schools and 105th in the state out of 677 high schools in the magazine’s 2019 Best High Schools issue.
Penn Manor had been ranked No. 1 in the county the past four years by U.S. News & World Report. However, the magazine altered its ranking methodology this year, adding additional categories, changing the “weights” of categories, and including more schools in its analysis.
“Because the methodology changed so significantly this year, a school’s ranking in the 2019 Best High Schools ranking can’t be compared with its rankings in any previous U.S. News ranking,” according to the magazine.
The 2019 standings are based on a school’s graduation rate; students’ math and reading proficiency and whether those scores met expectations; the participation level and performance of students on AP tests; and the performance of “underserved” students, including low-income and minority students.
The 2018 rankings were based on test scores in reading and math for all students, compared with those for underserved students; graduation rates; and the number of students taking and passing college-level courses.
Penn Manor superintendent Mike Leichliter said he’s pleased that Penn Manor High School was ranked in the top third in Lancaster County under the new system.
