Meridian World School in Round Rock was named the sixth-best public high school in the nation, according to the annual U.S. News and World Report’s 100 Best High Schools list released last week. The survey included 200,500 high schools across the country and ranked the schools in multiple categories.

Meridian, a public charter school, also earned the top ranking in Texas, according to the publication. In fact, 39 of the 100 schools in Texas to earn a gold ranking in this year’s list are public charter schools.

“We’re very proud of the progress public charters continue to make in Texas,” said Chuck Cook, interim CEO of the Texas Charter Schools Association. “It’s a testament to the hard work done by our students, teachers, parents, staff and administrators. Public charters represent about 10 percent of all public high schools in Texas, yet they comprise 39 percent of the top 100 schools in the state.”

The publication noted Meridian’s participation in the International Baccalaureate program that helps develop students’ intellectual and personal skills in an ever-globalizing world. Students in the IB program are required to take a two-year course in each of six subject groups, including: include theory of knowledge, the creativity, action and service, or CAS, program, and an extended essay.

Meridian, which has a 50 percent minority population and a 17:1 student-to-teacher classroom ratio, also offers a Triple A program of after-school activities in athletics, the arts and an enrichment program.

“Meridian World School exists because of the efforts of a handful of families that ignited a grassroots parent group looking for a deeper, more authentic kind of public school education that the IB programs can provide,” said Karalei Nunn, Meridian’s founder and COO. “That effort and excitement joined with professional leadership, passionate teachers, committed families, and engaged students proving once again, that a small group of thoughtful, committed folks really can make a difference."

Other public charters to earn a gold ranking and which finished ranked in the Top 100 nationally this year are: Chaparral Star Academy, Austin (No. 6 in Texas, No. 23 national); Imagine International Academy of North Texas, McKinney (No. 8, No. 49); KIPP Austin Collegiate, Austin (No. 9, No. 53); IDEA College Preparatory, San Juan (No. 10, No. 54); Eastwood Academy, Houston (No. 11, No. 56); IDEA Frontier College Preparatory (No. 12, No. 65); Westlake Academy, Westlake (No. 13, No. 79); IDEA College Preparatory, Mission (No. 14, No. 84); Challenge Early College High School, Houston (No. 15, No. 91); YES Prep North Forest, Houston (No. 16, No. 94); and YES Prep – East End, Houston (No. 17, No. 97).

The remaining gold-ranked public charters in Texas are: YES Prep – Southwest, Houston (No. 18 in Texas, No. 106 nationally); YES Prep Gulfton, Houston (No. 20, No. 118); YES Prep – West (No. 21, No. 123); IDEA Quest College Preparatory, Edinburg (No. 22, No. 127); YES Prep – Southeast (No. 25, No. 131); Uplift Education – North Hills Prep High School, Irving (No. 27, No. 134); Uplift Summit International High School, Arlington (No. 28, No. 139); Young Women’s Leadership Academy, San Antonio (No. 29, No. 141); Uplift Williams Preparatory High School, Dallas (No. 30, No. 146); Clear Horizons Early College High School, Houston (No. 31, No. 151); Early College High School, Laredo (No. 33, No. 164); Harmony Science Academy – West Houston, Katy (No. 36, No. 192); YES Prep – Brays Oaks, Houston (No. 37, No. 194); Uplift Peak Preparatory High School, Dallas (No. 39, No. 208); Harmony Science Academy, El Paso (No. 41, No. 214); KIPP Generations, Houston, (No. 47, No. 233); YES Prep – North Central, Houston (No. 48, No. 234); Harmony Science Academy, Waco (No. 51, No. 302); North Houston Early College High School, Houston (No. 52, No. 311); East Early College High School, Houston (No. 53, No. 315); Founders Classical Academy (No. 54, No. 333); Harmony Science Academy, Carrollton (No. 56, No. 337); Energized for STEM Academy West High School, Houston (No. 61, No. 372); Harmony School of Excellence, Austin (No. 62, No. 374); Harmony Science Academy North Austin, Pflugerville (No. 65, No. 400); Harmony School of Science – Houston High, Sugarland (No. 67, No. 426); and KIPP Houston High School, Houston (No. 71, No. 451.)

Another 33 public charter schools earned silver medals on the list, while 20 public charters earned bronze.

For the complete list of the rankings, visit: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/national-rankings.