Local high school ranked as one of the best in U.S.

Corona del Mar High School is one of the best high schools in America, according to U.S. News & World Report rankings due out Monday.

Of more than 18,500 schools studied nationwide, Corona del Mar High School was one of 405 schools that earned a “silver” ranking, meaning it met all three of the magazine’s criteria for a top school but was not in the top 100.

U.S. News & World Report based its rankings on three criteria: if the school performed better academically than it should have statistically, if “disadvantaged” students were proficient in key areas, and if the school adequately prepares its students for college.

“We just patted each other on the back,” Corona del Mar Principal Fal Asrani said. “This just shows we continue to graduate the best and the brightest.”

Asrani credits the school’s success to a shared belief among students, parents and faculty that all kids there can succeed and go to college.

— Joseph Serna