So what does it mean to be named one of the top high schools in the nation? If you ask District 7 Superintendent Jeff Stevens the answer is one of unabashed pride. “This is big for us. In its survey of top high schools, The Washington Post produces their list taking into account criteria that include graduation rates and performance indicators such as AP scores.”

Spartanburg High School is America’s Most Challenging High Schools. The annual list, originally published by The Washington Post and continuing on under its founder as the Jay Mathews Challenge Index, identifies high schools that are excelling in preparing students for college-level work based on data collected on more than 22,000 schools. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report ranks Spartanburg High School among the top 12% of its best high schools in the nation.