Whitefish High School ranked No. 2 in Montana

Whitefish High School has earned the No. 2 spot in Montana in "2024 Best High Schools,” which U.S. News released in a new report. 

Rankings are based on areas like college readiness, college curriculum breadth, state assessment proficiency, and graduation rates. Nearly 18,000 schools were ranked nationwide, and 171 high schools across Montana.

Bozeman High School was ranked No. 1, with Glacier High School in Kalispell coming in at No. 3.

According to the scorecard, Whitefish boasts a graduation rate of 90-94%, a reading proficiency of 62% and a math proficiency of 42%. The AP participation rate was at 40%.

 “We continue to have tremendous academic success at Whitefish High School, and this ranking is another reflection of that,” Kerry Drown, principal of Whitefish High School, said in a press release. “Our students grow from elementary to middle school to high school, and I am proud to celebrate this award with all our teachers, staff and students."

In addition to earning the second-highest rank in Montana, Whitefish also earned high marks nationally, placing it in the top 10% at 1,567 in the national rankings.

Recently, Whitefish High School was selected for the AP School Honor Roll, which recognizes schools that have done outstanding work to welcome more students into AP courses and support them on the path to college success. 

Whitefish High School now offers 12 advanced placement courses and has over 200 students taking one or more AP classes. Whitefish High is also offering students the chance to earn an AP Capstone diploma and an AP Seminar and Research Certificate as part of an expanded program.

“We believe in high expectations and high achievement for all. It’s the foundation for everything that we do,” continued Drown. “These high standards come not only from the staff and the administrators but also from the parent community and the community at large. We can all be very proud of this recognition together.”