For the third time, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Coast Union High School among the top high schools in the U.S., according to Chris Adams, superintendent of the Coast Unified School District. It is the magazine’s fourth such list, according to details posted May 8 on www.usnews.com.

Coast Union was ranked 165th out of 2,407 high schools in the state of California and 844th out of 22,000 in 49 states of the country (Nebraska didn’t submit enough data to be included). Those placements were sufficiently high for the school to receive a virtual silver medal (no actual medals are awarded). More than 4,850 gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded to top-performing schools, with a record 500 schools, many in California, reaching gold-medal status.

Adams said all schools in the county except Paso Robles High School were judged to be in medal range, and only Arroyo Grande High School was ranked higher than Coast Union.

“Schools are analyzed first at the state level in terms of how well students… performed on state assessments, taking into account the test scores of disadvantaged students…who tend to score lower on tests,” the magazine said in the posting. Then, in terms of college readiness, the magazine “determines the degree to which schools prepare students for college-level work by analyzing student success in Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate programs).

Adams said the school’s ranking is “another independent judgment of how well we’re doing,” in providing quality education to the district’s students.

Coast’s new Principal Wade Lawrence said he’s “really proud” of the school’s students and faculty. “I don’t know if the community, students and parents really understand what an accomplishment it is to be listed as one of the top high schools in the country.” He said the award reflects “all the positive things we’re doing and the academics at our school” plus “the dedication of students, teachers and the community involvement.” The medal status is a reminder that “we’re here for the academics first, and the icing on the cake” is the performances, clubs and activities available on campus.