Montezuma receives U.S. Best High Schools award

by Vincent Bushong

Each year, the U.S. News & World Report recognizes schools nationwide with a Best High Schools award in three categories: Gold, Silver and Bronze. This year, Montezuma High School received a Bronze award.

Montezuma was only  one of 104 high schools in Iowa to receive an award of any category. In the South Iowa Cedar conference, Montezuma and Keota were the only two schools to receive an award.

The algorithms used to determine a school’s ranking first test the school’s academic performance as compared to the average in the state. 

Then, the school’s least-advantaged students’ performances were compared to the state average of similar students. 

Finally, the students’ readiness for college was tested, using a college readiness index. 

U.S. News reported 88% proficiency in reading for MHS and 96% proficiency in math.

Superintendent Dave Versteeg, “The students are at the core of this award. When students are responsible for their own learning, they become engaged in the educational process. When students become engaged, wonderful results happen like the U.S. News award. This award is not an ending point to the achievement possible at Montezuma HS but a beginning point.”