Just like every Oscar hopeful says, “it’s an honor just to be nominated.”

But City Honors did more than just get mentioned in this year’s US News & World Report for the best high schools in the country. They owned it. Having received a Gold Medal Ranking of #90 in US New’s last survey, City Honors jumped 67 spots and came in at #23 on the 2012 list.

In addition to making it into the top 25 high schools in the nation, City Honors is the #3 ranked public school in New York State, the #3 International Baccalaureate School in New York State, and the #1 Magnet School in New York State. Not to mention, City Honors was also one of only 26 schools in the entire country recognized for preparing 100% of its graduates for college. That is a pretty good statistic.

The Buffalo News’ Mary Pasciak did a great job breaking down the ranking process in a post on Wednesday morning entitled, “Why City Honors will always rank as a top high school.” Be sure to check out her take on the list as well.

In US News & World Report’s overview of the school,

City Honors School follows designated teaching practices to ensure students have direction and receive continuous feedback. Student participation in community service and volunteer opportunities is strongly encouraged at this International Baccalaureate school.

The school offers a specialized science research program where students complete laboratory internships and graduate with a special diploma authorized by the state, City Honors School, and their research institutions. Advanced Placement and/or Regents courses are available at every grade level.

Props also go out to Hutchinson Central Technical High School and Leonardo Da Vinci High School from the Buffalo Public Schools. Both of these schools received Bronze Medals indicating that they are ranked among the top 25% of public high schools in the entire United States.

In terms of New York State ranking, a few other local schools made the list for great performance statewide. Here are a few:

#50—Iroquois High School (359 nationally ranked)
#56—Clarence High School (389 nationally ranked)
#57—Williamsville East High School (398 nationally ranked)
#86—Williamsville South High School (680 nationally ranked)
#88—Williamsville North High School (689 nationally ranked)
#99—Hamburg High School (775 nationally ranked)

Photo courtesy of Facebook.