Area High Schools Among Best in Region

By Kristina Schnack Kotlus Several schools in the Potomac Communities have placed among the top 100 in the area according to the Washington Post's "High School Challenge". The survey ranks high schools in the Washington area. C.D. Hylton High School in Woodbridge placed number 58 followed directly by Lorton's South County Secondary School.  Gar-Field Senior High School in Woodbridge came in at number 84, Stafford's Colonial Forge High School registered just behind that at 86, and Forest Park High School, also in Woodbridge, finished out at 99. This year's rankings featured some changes from the 2010 Challenge. Hylton's position moved 10 places from last year's 48th position.  South County also moved in the wrong direction from last year's 44th.   Gar Field was in 77th position last year, although Colonial Forge held steady at 86th. Forest Park made a positive change, however, moving from 101 last year into the top 100 this year. The annual challenge ratings are based on "a simple formula" according to The Washington Post, with rankings derived from dividing the number of college-level tests a school gave by the number of graduating seniors.  The Washington Post feels this rating "can reveal the level of a high school's commitment to preparing average students for college."