Barrington High School earned another gold medal this week. 

On Tuesday, April 19, US News and World Report released its list of the best high schools in the country. Barrington, which had earned a gold medal in 2014 as the number 200 school in the country, was awarded another gold medal this year. Barrington was ranked number 400 among the 19,908 schools that were included in the analysis. 

US News and World Report's rankings showed that Classical High School in Providence was the top-ranked high school in Rhode Island (number 218 nationally), while Barrington was the second-ranked school in the state and number 400 nationally. 

Portsmouth ranked third in the state (798 nationally), East Greenwich was fourth (1,059 nationally), and North Kingstown was fifth (1,364 nationally). Barrington and Classical were the only Rhode Island High Schools to earn gold medals. 

US News and World Report partners with a research company to compile the list and shares its methodology for building the rankings. 

"Schools were awarded gold, silver or bronze medals based on their performance on state assessments, their graduation rates and how well they prepare students for college," stated an excerpt from the report.

The rankings also showed a "college readiness" score, which is based on the percentage of 12th-graders who were tested and passed the AP (Advanced Placement) exams. Classical earned a college readiness score of 69.4, while Barrington had a 59.6. 

A closer look at Barrington High School students' performance on AP tests shows that there is a 65 percent participation rate — the school has open enrollment for all AP courses — and 89 percent of those taking an AP course at Barrington pass the class. In addition, 88 percent of the students at Barrington who sit for an AP test pass the exam. 

At Classical, there is a 99 percent participation rate on AP tests; 61 percent of the students taking an AP course pass the class, while 48 percent of the students at Classical who sit for an AP test pass the exam.

Barrington High School Principal Joe Hurley said he is particularly proud of student performance on the advanced placement tests and of the district's open enrollment policy with AP courses. 

He said any student who wishes to take an AP class is allowed to do so, which is not always the case at other schools.

"I think our students do extremely well" on the AP exams, Mr. Hurley said during an interview on April 20. 

The local principal said he views the US News and World Report gold medal as a district and community achievement. He said all of Barrington's six public schools should share praise for the gold medal. 

"A lot of this has to do with the culture of the community," he said.

Mr. Hurley said national awards and distinctions would not be possible without a strong central office, talented teachers and staff, the support of students' parents, and the hard-working students. 

"This is not only about the students coming up (through the schools), but also what's happening from the top-down," he said.