Washington Post names seven district schools among most challenging in nation

Five Dallas ISD schools are ranked among the nation’s 50 most challenging high schools, according to a new Washington Post report.

Two of the schools—the School for Science and Engineering (SEM) and the School for the Talented and Gifted (TAG)—are ranked in the top 10 most challenging high schools in the nation.

“We appreciate the contribution of all stakeholders, for without them, this level of accomplishment could not be attained,” SEM Principal Tiffany Huitt said. "We are excited to be recognized as one of America’s most challenging schools as it reflects the work of our teachers, staff, and students.”

The ranking follows the U.S. News and World Report naming TAG as the best high school in the country and SEM as the fourth-best high school in the country.

“It’s great to be recognized, but we will not rest on our laurels and we still have room to grow,” TAG Principal Benjamin Mackey said.

Washington Post determined the rankings by looking at the number of college-level tests given at a school in the previous calendar year divided by the number of graduates that year. Also noted are the percentage of students who come from families that qualify for lunch subsidies and the percentage of graduates who passed at least one college-level test during their high school career.

Here are the Dallas ISD schools that ranked among the 1,000 most challenging high schools in the nation:

3) School of Science and Engineering

7) School for the Talented and Gifted

22) Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women's Leadership School

45) Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet

46) School of Business and Management

328) Woodrow Wilson High School

636) Hillcrest High School

Go here to see the full Washington Post ranking and to learn more about its methodology.