Newsweek magazine late yesterday released its own analysis of its annual “America’s Top High Schools” issue. The article, “Mid-Atlantic Excellence,” found that Maryland has the highest percentage of high schools on the list (29.5 percent), more than five points better than the second place state, Virginia. (The article is available at http://www.newsweek.com/id/202022).

When the magazine’s editors looked at the percentage of students attending one of the top 1,500 schools, Maryland did even better. The State has 31.6 percent of its students attending one of the top schools, with Virginia again second with 26.6 percent.

The Newsweek list, known as the Challenge Index, looks at student enrollment in Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate, and Cambridge courses and tests, which have been shown to be good preparation for higher education. Colleges have lauded these programs, and many give college credit for success on the rigorous end-of-course exams attached to the courses.

“This is tremendous news for the State of Maryland. Maryland is ranked No. 1 in the nation because our test scores are up in every county, in every grade, in every subject and across every single demographic line. White students, black students, high income and low income students of all ages are all testing higher today than they did five years ago,” said Governor Martin O’Malley.

“Now is more important than ever, even in these difficult times, to continue to protect our investments in public education to ensure that every child receives a world class education and a better future. The people of Maryland are our greatest asset and our continued economic strength depends upon our ability to invest in them, and prepare our children today for the jobs of tomorrow.”

The Maryland State Department of Education has worked closely with the College Board to bring more college-level AP courses to schools across the State. Maryland has 83 schools among the top schools on the Challenge Index.

“Our goal is to have our high schools offer a challenging curriculum to all of our students,” said State Superintendent Nancy S. Grasmick. “This new research gives us more evidence that we are making a difference for our students, but we won’t be satisfied until those opportunities are available to everyone.”

The new ranking follows two reports from earlier this year, ranking Maryland as first in the nation. Education Week ranked Maryland public schools as the nation’s best, and the College Board found that Maryland schools ranked first in the percentage of students taking Advanced Placement courses and scoring at the college mastery level (scores 3-5).