Group unveils ranking of local schools

HOUSTON The ten schools were selected based on the percentage of students who receive credit for at least one advanced course, passing scores on TAKS tests, graduation rates and the percentage of an economically disadvantage student population.

The organization ranked 131 high schools in seven counties this year are here are the top 10:

1.) Carnegie Vanguard High School
2.) DeBakey High School for Health Professions
3.) HSPVA
4.) Memorial High School
5.) Clements High School
6.) Cinco Ranch High School
7.) Yes Prep Southeast
8.) Challenge Early College High School
9.) Kerr High School
10.) Stephen F. Austin High School

The common thread throughout these top schools, Children at Risk, says is small size.

"They are really spending a lot of attention first of all they are very fluent to begin with, but they spend a lot of attention on those who are following the lower tier of students and they are raising them up to the standards of the other kids," said Dr. Robert Sanborn, CEO of Children at Risk.

So perhaps that's a blueprint for the future. Vanguard is planning a major expansion, but it plans to keep its pupil-teacher ratio low.

There are no cash awards associated with these awards, but a lot of bragging rights.

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