U.S. News ranking omits top Gwinnett school due to data error

Oops.

U.S. News & World Report says a data software error was to blame for Georgia’s perennial academic powerhouse, the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science & Technology, being completely excluded from its 2017 Best High Schools rankings, released in April.

The news outlet explained the snafu on its website and now says the Gwinnett school is tied with Columbus High School in Muscogee County as the best high school in Georgia, with both ranked 35th nationwide.

Gwinnett school officials were surprised by the omission and contacted the news site for clarification, but said they didn’t receive a response.

DeKalb County’s Arabia Mountain High School - Academy of Engineering was also initially excluded because of the error. It’s now on the list and the school is ranked 51st in Georgia.

U.S. News & World Report’s rankings are one of the most prominent annual academic rankings in the nation. The rankings are based on student proficiency on state exams, graduation rates, Advanced Placement performance and other factors.

In other education news:

Fourteen Southwest DeKalb High School seniors were surprised with the news that they would receive full-ride scholarships to attend two-year programs at Georgia State University’s Decatur campus.

About the Authors

Eric Stirgus

Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He is the newsroom's education editor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.

Amanda C. Coyne

Amanda Coyne is a hyperlocal reporter for the AJC, covering Gwinnett County.

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