More proof of quality education in Valley

While some may focus on the misbehaving kids or uninvolved parents, we often point out the impressive exploits of many of our community's young people - earning scholarships to prestigious universities, aceing SAT tests, winning academic competitions. There's a lot of that going on here.

The point is that students who want to learn, can learn. They can do very well in our schools and go on to do whatever they want to do in life. That idea got bolstered this month, with the news that not one but two local public high schools made a list of the top 6% of high schools in America, as compiled by Newsweek magazine.

The list is based on how many students are taking advanced tests - in other words, how many are tackling the toughest academic rigor. As our Julie Drake reported:

"The rankings are based on the number of a school's students who took Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or Cambridge exams, divided by the number of graduating seniors. All of the schools on the list have a minimum index of at least 1.000."

Quartz Hill High School came in at No. 1,332 with an index of 1.208 and Highland High School came in at No. 1,521 with an index of 1.01, according to the list, which is known as the Challenge Index, Drake reported. That's out of approximately 27,000 public high schools in the United States.

The rankings show that the Antelope Valley Union High School District does make it a priority to offer rigorous courses that will prepare students for college. In other words, the opportunities are there for those who want them, and it's good to see that so many students at Quartz Hill and Highland want them.

The debate about the local schools will continue. But anyone associated with the high school district - the board, administration, faculty, staff and students - can take pride in national recognition for their schools.

We wouldn't be surprised to see another Valley school make the list next year.