DBHS Highly Ranked in Los Angeles County
October 8, 2014
The Brahmas have done it again. After being ranked 54th out of over 700 schools nationwide in August by Newsweek magazine, DBHS has been listed as one of Los Angeles County’s top schools.
Recently, Los Angeles Magazine composed a list of 75 schools, ranking them based on average SAT, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate scores. DBHS placed 13 out of 75 schools partially because of its students’ outstanding AP and IB scores, average overall score of 1743 on the SAT, and high graduation rate. AP and IB curricula are more desirable toward colleges, as they require more strenuous activity with a tighter curriculum.
“Ranking high schools is an invitation to arguments. What [are not] debatable are the qualities that set the best schools apart: passionate teachers and administrators, characterized by high expectations for all students and a willingness to provide everyone an opportunity to participate in the most demanding courses and activities,” LA Magazine reported.
Additionally, extracurricular activities and creative teaching programs are taken into consideration for a school’s overall ranking. Summer programs benefit the school as a whole. DBHS’s ranking is attributed partially to the various clubs and electives on campus which have earned multiple awards; the Grammy Signature School Award, which was awarded to only 12 institutions nationwide in 2013, and Diamond Bar Orchestra’ second place title at the National Orchestra Cup 2013 in New York are a few examples of the many awards that Diamond Bar has been presented.
“Our Grammy award and other extracurricular options for kids are specifically mentioned as well as the fact that we maintain high standards in critical thinking and writing for all students. It is refreshing to be recognized not only for our Academics, but for the other A’s: the Arts, Athletics, and Activities which are the foundations for the enriching experience that is Diamond Bar High School,” Principal Catherine Real stated through an e-mail to staff members.
A study done by the National Association for College Admission Counseling declared that high school grades predict college success more accurately than SAT scores do.
“The best high schools don’t make it easy for students,” LA Magazine states. “They’re not supposed to. But they should make it educational and, above all, inspiring.”
