The Indiana Academy for Science,
Mathematics, and Humanities and Burris
Laboratory School are once again receiving national
recognition.
U.S. News & World Report
recently ranked the Indiana Academy (No. 2) and Burris (No. 7) among the top high
schools in Indiana in its “2022 Best U.S. High Schools”
listing. Both schools are operated by Ball State University’s Teachers College.
“These excellent rankings are a testament to the hard
work being done by our students, faculty, and staff at both institutions on a
daily basis,” said Dr. Anand R. Marri,
Teachers College dean. “At Ball State, we value excellence and service. Through
the Indiana Academy and Burris, we continue to provide outstanding educational
environments, engage our community, serve teachers and students, and advance
education throughout Indiana.”
The annual U.S. News & World Report “Best U.S.
High Schools” rankings are determined by students’ outcomes in state
assessments, college-level exam scores, and graduation rates. The Indiana
Academy ranked as the No. 2 school in the state largely due to its state
assessment performance and proficiency—both of which ranked tied for first in
the state—and its 98-percent graduation rate.
Earlier this year, the Indiana Academy—a residential high
school for approximately 250 gifted and talented juniors and seniors from
across the State of Indiana—was also ranked by Niche as the No. 1 public
high school in Indiana.
“Since its founding in 1988 by the Indiana General
Assembly, the Indiana Academy has consistently been an incubator for
excellence,” said Dr. Dain Kavars, the
Indiana Academy’s executive director. “Our diverse community of students live
in our exceptional learning community, where they are challenged by our
stimulating curricula that blends tradition with innovation. I’m proud to see
that hard work recognized once again by U.S. News & World Report.”
Burris, which ranked ninth in the state in last year’s U.S.
News & World Report “Best U.S. High Schools” listing, was able to
improve two spots in this year’s rankings in part because of its students’ increased
participation in Advanced Placement (AP) classes—from 70 percent in 2021 to 76
percent this year. Participation and assessment scores in AP classes are the
most weighted elements considered for the rankings.
Founded in 1929 by Teachers College, Burris is now operated
by Ball State as a laboratory school for the University.
“This ranking reflects the ongoing partnership between
our educators, staff, and students to create a collaborative environment of
respect that challenges everyone to excel,” said Burris principal Dr. Abigail
Comber. “Our collaboration with community partners has enabled our educators to
model the academic rigor and continuous improvement mindset that is necessary
for success.”
Nationally, the Indiana
Academy ranked 216th overall (top 1 percent), while Burris ranked
419th (top 2 percent), out of almost 24,000 total public high
schools evaluated in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.