Hampton ranked top high school in Pittsburgh area, 7th in state by U.S. News & World Report

Hampton High School is among the smallest in northern Allegheny County, but it ranks at the top of the list for the Pittsburgh region in the most recent “Best High Schools” ranking by U.S. News & World Report.

When compared with 754 other high schools across Pennsylvania, Hampton ranked seventh overall in 2020, according to the news agency. In a ranking of nearly 18,000 high schools nationwide, Hampton came in at 408.

Hampton ranked fourth in the region and 17th in the state in U.S. News’ 2019 report.

The annual rankings are based on college readiness, proficiency in math and reading, performance on math and reading exams, the performance of under-served students, the breadth of its curriculum and its graduation rates.

The rankings use data from nearly 18,000 public high schools in the nation.

The six schools that ranked higher than Hampton in 2020 are all located in eastern Pennsylvania. The top high school in Pennsylvania is the Julia R. Masterman Secondary School in Philadelphia.

North Allegheny High School ranked 16th, Pine-Richland 25th and North Hills Hills 69th in the 2020 state rankings.

Among high schools in the Pittsburgh area, North Allegheny was ranked fourth, Pine-Richland eighth and North Hills 13th.

“The highest-ranked schools are those whose students excelled on state tests and performed beyond expectations; participated in and passed a variety of college-level exams; and graduated in high proportions,” according to U.S. News, which assigned numerical rankings to schools performing in the top 75%.

In this year’s rankings, Hampton received a score of 97.71 out of 100. The school also was among the top 50 schools across the state in each of the categories used to determine the rankings.

“Hampton Township School District is honored for the continued recognition of the wonderful accomplishments of our hardworking and dedicated students, faculty and staff,” said Superintendent Michael Loughead. “While this ranking recognizes our high school, everyone in our district has contributed to this wonderful achievement.”

District officials said the high school offers a comprehensive and diversified curriculum, including general studies, college prep, Advanced Placement courses, honors courses, vocational/technical training and business programs.

The school has a 99 percent graduation rate, they said.

Hampton High School has a student population of 965. There are 1,545 enrolled in Pine-Richland High School and 1,347 at North Hills High School.

North Allegheny Senior High School has 2,250 students. With an enrollment of 8,510, NA is the largest district in Allegheny County after the Pittsburgh Public Schools system.