Kirkland’s International Community School was ranked 29th best in the nation by U.S. News and World Report last week in its annual top 100 list. It is one of just four schools in Washington state given a “Gold” rating.

“We are honored to once again be recognized as one of the nation’s top 100 high schools,” noted ICS Principal Cindy Duenas. “It is truly a reflection on the students and staff at our school that we have achieved this ranking for the third year in a row.”

The International Community School, which is a part of the Lake Washington School District, is among four Eastside High Schools named to the top 100 list including Bellevue’s International School, ranked No. 10, Newport High School, No. 72, and Bellevue High School, No. 78. “It is always an honor to see our schools recognized nationally for the level of success that the students and staff have achieved,” noted Lake Washington School Superintendent Dr. Chip Kimball. “I am consistently impressed by the hard work of our students, staff and parents in schools throughout the district.”

In the rankings, the Kirkland school scored 89.3 points out of a top score of 100 in college readiness. The 381 students had an exam passing rate of 87.8 percent; AP participation rate of 93.9 percent, with a 93.5 percent AP participant passing rate.

In addition, Washington state had 17 schools ranked in its “Silver” category, meaning they were considered top performers. Among those 17 was Redmond High School. The state has 30 schools in the “Bronze” category.

The magazine takes data from 21,000 public high schools from around the nation to create its annual list. In another category it scored a 4.7 in Quality-adjusted exams per test taker which is based on Advanced Placement tests.

Last year the International Community School was ranked No. 24. In 2007, it was ranked at No. 17 and was the highest-rated school in the state of Washington.

ICS is a choice school in Lake Washington School District, meaning that students from throughout the district can apply to attend the school, which serves students in grades seven through 12. Entry is by lottery. ICS began when parents and educators came together in 1997 to create and support a small, academically rigorous secondary education program with a focus on international awareness.

U.S. News and World Report works with School Evaluation Services, a K-12 education data research business run by Standard & Poor’s to rate high schools, based upon data from the 2007-2008 school year. A three-step process is used to determine the best high schools, using both state proficiency standards and assessing the degree to which schools prepare students for college-level work.