Earlier this week, Newsweek ranked Metea Valley as No. 497 on its annual list of America’s top 500 high schools. After not being named to the list in 2014, the Metea community is proud to be recognized once again for their academic achievements, commitments to education, and, of course, living the Metea LIFE.

Metea is one of four Naperville schools to be put on the list. Representing District 204, Metea tailed Waubonsie Valley, coming in at No. 393. From District 203, Naperville North placed at No. 58, and Naperville Central placed at No. 98. Rankings were weighted by things such as enrollment rate, graduation rate, ACT/SAT scores, and the counselor-to-student ratio.

“I actually know so many people that have moved to this area because of how good the school districts are,” junior Daniel Grumbine said, “It makes me confident and really comforted to know that I’ll be prepared for whatever life or college throws at me.”

Even though Metea falls at the end of the list, don’t think it a reason to downplay the accomplishment; the top 500 schools were chosen from roughly 30,000, according to an article explaining the list on patch.com. Or, to put this into perspective, if the number of schools from each state were to be even, it would only be about ten schools to a state. (Technically speaking, that is; 30 schools were actually chosen from Illinois.)

Overall, there has never been a prouder time to be a Mustang, and never a better time to be thankful for the wonderful academic atmosphere that surrounds us.

By Stephanie Sorich                                                                                                                Profiles Editor