Decorah High School named one of the top high schools in the Midwest

Newsweek/The Daily Beast has named Decorah High School one of the 25 Best High Schools in the Midwest. 

The news organization ranked Decorah High School 18th in the 12-state Midwest Region and ranked it 126th in the country.  Decorah High School was the only Iowa high school included in the list. 

Six indicators were used to determine the selection of the best high schools.  Graduation and college acceptance rates weighed the most heavily.  Other criteria used included the number of college-level courses completed, the number of students who took AP exams, their average score, and SAT and ACT scores.

"We are very honored and humbled to once again be recognized as one the top high schools in the Midwest and the entire nation," said Decorah High School Principal Kim Sheppard.  "This honor is truly a testament to the hard work and dedication of our teachers and staff members as they strive to challenge Decorah High students on a daily basis and to the manner in which our students have responded.  We are also very aware that the honors we have received would not be possible without the solid education foundation that has been put in place by all the teachers and staff members who have previously worked with our students.  It is also important to thank our students' parents and the members of the Board of Education for their support as well as the entire Decorah community.  Our success would not be possible without the efforts of everyone," she said.