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Homewood-Flossmoor High School named among
Best High Schools in America by U.S. News and World Report
Homewood-Flossmoor High School has been ranked among the Best High Schools in America by U.S. News and World Report for its performance on state-required tests, graduation and how well it prepares students for college.
The rankings were released last week and place HF among the top 40% of high schools in the country. HF is ranked 213th in Illinois and 173rd in the Chicago area.
Among the areas that qualified HF for the Best High Schools list are the school’s Graduation Rate coming in at 74th in Illinois, College Curriculum Breadth ranking at 124th, and College Readiness rating at 148th.
“This Best High Schools ranking is a testament to the dedication of our staff, students, families and community,” said Superintendent Dr. Scott Wakeley. “Each day Vikings’ commitment to preparing students for life after high school is evident in classrooms, hallways and offices, through athletic and activity arenas, and in the way HF develops the competencies of the Profile of a Viking in everything we do.”
The majority of HF graduates pursue higher education at 78% the school far outpaces the national average of 63%. And, HF students are well-prepared when they get there. The most recent college persistence rate, meaning those students who return for their sophomore year of college, is 87% for HF graduates compared to the national average of 75%, as reported by the National Student Clearinghouse. This shows that HF students pursuing higher education are well-prepared for their post-high school plans.
“Looking toward continuous growth, HF’s strategic planning efforts include a focus on standards-based learning to finely tune the relationship between content standards, assessments and instruction,” said Director of Curriculum Dr. Jen Hester. “This work is expected to increase academic growth as well as increase performance on standardized test measures like the College Board's SAT.”
Additionally, classroom instruction focuses on building five competencies that will support students in college, career and life. The district is focused on aligning courses to college and career pathways that provide more opportunities for early college learning experiences, industry credentials, and work-based learning experiences. These efforts are aimed at preparing students for the path they choose after high school, and as a byproduct will help HF to continue to improve its ranking by outside organizations like U.S. News and World Reports.
Homewood-Flossmoor High School is a comprehensive community high school located in the South Suburbs of Chicago. The district serves the villages of Homewood and Flossmoor, and portions of Chicago Heights, Glenwood, Hazel Crest and Olympia Fields. A tradition of excellence is the cornerstone of HF – the result of commitment on the part of district residents to the idea of a community high school with high standards for students and staff, and a solid goal of excellence in education.